Anuja steers Indian eves to 34-run win against Lanka

Opting to bat first, India posted 130 runs, with Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur contributing 35 and 36 respectively. Patil also provided a significant unbeaten 22 in her side’s innings.

Anuja Patil scored an unbeaten 22 in India's innings apart from taking three wickets. (File photo).

Anuja Patil scalped a three-wicket haul to help India Women thrash Sri Lanka by 34 runs in the opening T20 of the three-match series here at JSCA International Stadium Complex on Monday.

Opting to bat first, India posted 130 runs, with Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur contributing 35 and 36 respectively. Patil also provided significant a unbeaten 22 in her side’s innings.

In reply, Sri Lanka was restricted to 96 runs within its allotted 20 overs. Dilani Manodara was the top scorer for the visitor as she made an unbeaten 41 off 44 balls.

Even as Anuja finished with career-best figures of three for 14, each of the Indian bowlers conceded less 5.80 runs per over.

With the win, India has taken a 1-0 lead in the series and it will play its next match against Sri Lanka at the same venue on Wednesday.

Brief scores:-

India Women: 130 for six (Harmanpreet Kaur 36, Smriti Mandhana 35; Anuja Patil 22; Sugandika Kumari 3/28) in 20 overs beat Sri Lanka Women: 96 for seven (Dilani Manodara 41, Anuja Patil 3/14) in 20 overs.