The third round of matches in the ongoing Women’s Hundred saw Smriti Mandhana produce a match-winning knock for Manchester Super Giants, while Jemimah Rodrigues (Southern Brave) claimed her second consecutive Player of the Match award. The other two Indians — Richa Ghosh (Manchester Super Giants) and Deepti Sharma (Sunrisers Leeds) — failed to make a significant impact.
Starting with Mandhana, it was an innings fans will remember for the authority with which she batted and the precision of her power-hitting. Chasing 143, the Manchester Super Giants opener began cautiously before shifting gears and playing her shots with freedom, including several towering hits.
However, the Super Giants suffered a mini-collapse in the middle overs, losing momentum, and the responsibility for the chase fell squarely on Mandhana’s shoulders. To make matters worse, a dreadful mix-up resulted in the run-out of Maitlan Brown, leaving Mandhana visibly distraught.
Despite that setback, she continued to fight, receiving valuable support from the lower order, and eventually guided her side to a four-wicket win with four balls to spare. During her unbeaten 88 off 50 balls, Mandhana was handed two reprieves by Sunrisers Leeds, and she made them pay by making full use of those lifelines.
Meanwhile, Deepti featured for Sunrisers Leeds but failed to make a significant impact, particularly with the ball. She was outstanding in the field, producing a brilliant left-handed catch while running to her left from backward point to dismiss Paige Scholfield. With the bat, she did not get an opportunity, while with the ball, despite a decent start, she finished with figures of 0 for 30 from her 20 deliveries.
There was plenty of anticipation surrounding her battle with India teammate Mandhana, but after initially being cautious against the experienced off-spinner, the opener gradually began using her feet to excellent effect. Mandhana eventually took control of the contest and even struck Deepti for a six in the latter stages of the innings.
Wicketkeeper-batter Richa was also involved in the same clash in Leeds but managed only four runs. She was unable to provide the support Mandhana needed during the middle phase of the chase.
Last but not least, Jemimah carried her form into her third match, building on the momentum from her previous outing with a crucial 32 off 22 balls against MI London in Southampton. She looked far more fluent at the crease, finding the gaps and batting with confidence after struggling for timing earlier in the tournament. The pitch proved slightly tricky for batting, but while defending 126, Southern Brave held their nerve to seal a one-run victory and register their third consecutive win. Notably, Jemimah was named Player of the Match for the second game in succession.
The Indian batter has now shown the consistency that will once again be expected of her when Southern Brave take on Birmingham Phoenix in Southampton on 30 July. Mandhana and Richa, meanwhile, will face Trent Rockets in Manchester on 31 July, while Deepti and Sunrisers Leeds will return to action against Trent Rockets in Nottingham on 2 August.
For More Exciting Articles: Follow RevSportz
The post India Women’s Players’ Hundred Round-Up: Mandhana’s Magic, Jemimah’s Back-to-Back POTM, Quiet Days for Deepti and Richa appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.
