Rawal, Mandhana, Deol fifties take India Women's to 281/7 against Australia in first ODI
Mullanpur, Sep 14 (PTI): Half-centuries by Pratika Rawal (64), Smriti Mandhana (58) and Harleen Deol (54) powered India Women's to a competitive 281 for seven in the first One-Day International of the three-match series against Australia here on Sunday.
India were served well by their top order batters with each of them hitting their stride to make significant contributions, even as the middle order players did not get going.
Rawal and Mandhana put on 114 for the first wicket — now the third highest for India against Australia -- showing why they have been a force to reckon with as a pair.
Australia, on their part, used as many as eight bowling options to get their players up and running in Indian conditions, with the ODI World Cup now a fortnight away.
On a conducive wicket, both India and Australia fought hard for control of the proceedings as after the fall of Mandhana in the 22nd over, the visitors tightened the screws.
Mandhana's charge ended with an embarrassing mix-up with her opening partner. The India vice-captain set off for a sharp single after hitting it towards Phoebe Litchfield at extra cover but Rawal denied the single, leaving Mandhana in no state to turn and make it back in time.
If not for that run-out, Mandhana was set for a big score having batted fluently for her half-century, which included six fours and two sixes.
This was shortly after Rawal brought up her fifty two balls earlier — her sixth in the format — but she too could not push on for a bigger score.
Rawal perished in the 31st over when she went for a slog against Alana King but found Ellyse Perry at midwicket, who did not fumble in taking a regulation grab.
India, who had crossed the 100-run mark by the 18th over following a positive start, had crawled to 168 for three after the 35th with only four boundaries — one four and three sixes — being hit during this passage of play.
Like the openers, Harleen too batted with a lot of intent hitting four fours and two sixes during her knock, which came off 57 balls.
Even though India did struggle in the middle overs to accelerate and find regular boundaries, they managed to forge vital partnerships all the way through the end to put up a formidable total on board.
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BJP urges compensation, aid after eight Karnataka devotees killed in Andhra road accident
Bengaluru (PTI): BJP leaders on Thursday urged the state government to coordinate with authorities in Andhra Pradesh to ensure prompt treatment for the injured and to provide assistance, including adequate compensation, to the families of victims from Karnataka after a road accident in Kurnool district claimed at least eight lives.
Among those killed were five women, and 10 others were injured when a Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) collided with a tanker in Mantralayam in Kurnool district on Thursday, police said.
The accident occurred when devotees travelling to Mantralayam for the darshan of Sri Raghavendra Swamy were involved in the crash. The vehicle, carrying nearly 20 passengers, rammed into a tanker.
BJP leaders stated that some of the victims were from Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka.
Taking to the social media platform ‘X’, Karnataka BJP leader B Y Vijayendra expressed deep shock over the accident.
He said that eight devotees from the state, who were on their way for darshan at the Mantralayam temple, had lost their lives, calling it extremely heartbreaking that devotees heading for divine darshan met such an untimely end.
“While conveying my deepest condolences to the families of those who have perished in this tragedy, I pray that the injured recover fully and regain their health as soon as possible,” he said.
“I urge the state government to immediately get in touch with the Andhra Pradesh government and take appropriate steps to ensure that the injured receive necessary treatment without delay. The state government must respond promptly on humanitarian grounds, including providing the required assistance,” Vijayendra added.
Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, R Ashoka, also conveyed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident.
“I pray that the injured recover swiftly. The state government must immediately provide appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased and take necessary steps to ensure the injured receive the required medical treatment,” he said in his post on ‘X’.
BJP MP and former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.
“I urge the state government to immediately provide appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased and ensure the best medical treatment for the injured. May the departed souls attain eternal peace. I pray that their family members find the strength to bear this loss,” he added.
