India beats Sri Lanka, wins fourth World Cup match

Needing 233, Sri Lanka was always behind the run-rate as India kept a tight line to restrict the island nation to  216/7 in 50 overs. The sloppy fielding by India looked like it wouldn’t help India’s cause but two good catches by Veda Krishnamurthy and timely wickets made sure India wasn’t found wanting. 

Earlier, Deepti Sharma and skipper Mithali Raj hit fine half-centuries to help India post a decent 232 for 8. Deepti made 78 off 110 balls while Mithali (53 off 78) continued her good form with yet another 50 plus score to set the base for India’s total after the early dismissal of openers Punam Raut (16) and Smriti Mandhana (8). Veda (29) and Harmanpreet Kaur (20) stitched crucial 50 runs in just nine overs to help India get past the 230-run mark. Electing to bat, India didn’t have the best of starts as Mandhana departed early. She was soon followed by Raut in the 11th over, thus bringing Mithali and Deepti to the crease.

Brief scores: India 232/8 in 50 overs (Deepti Sharma 78, Mithali Raj 53, Veda Krishnamurthy 29, Sripali Weerakkody 3/28) bt Sri Lanka 216/7 in 50 overs (Dilani Mandora 61, Poonam Yadav 2/23, Jhulan Goswami 2/26).