Tri-nation ODI series: Pratika Rawal's fifty, followed by Sneh Rana-Shree Charani's clinical bowling power India to a nine-wicket win against Sri Lanka

Opener Pratika Rawal's half-century after spinners Sneh Rana and debutant Shree Charani starred with the ball as a clinical India outclassed Sri Lanka by nine wickets in the rain-hit opening ODI of the women's tri-nation series at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Opting to bowl, India bundled out Sri Lanka on just 147 runs in a curtailed 39-over-a-side contest, with Rana (3/31) and Charani (2/26) sharing five wickets between them, while senior off-spinner Deepti Sharma (2/22) also chipped in.

While coming to bat India chased down the modest target in just 9.4 overs, with Smriti Mandhana (43) providing a fluent start before Rawal (50 not out) and Harleen Deol (48 not out) took the visitors home without much fuss.

Featuring in her seventh ODI, Rawal who smashed a record-breaking 54 against Ireland earlier this year, continued her rich vein of form. The 24-year-old, who holds the record for most runs by any batter in their first six ODI innings, anchored the chase with maturity.

She also stitched two crucial partnerships, 54 off 59 balls with Mandhana and an unbroken 95-run stand off 120 balls with Deol — to take India past the finish line.

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The right-hander, who made optimum use of her exquisite cover drives, struck seven boundaries in her 62-ball knock, while Mandhana found the fence six times during her 52-ball stay.

Earlier, off-spinner Rana and left-arm spinner Charani returned impressive figures of 3/31 and 2/26 respectively in their full quota of eight overs each as the hosts innings never took off.

Medium pacer Kashvee Sudesh Gautam, who is also playing her first international match, too, bowled well and while the 22-year-old could not register her name in the wickets column, she was economical and conceded only 28 runs in 8 overs.

The clash was reduced to 39 overs per side due to a delay of three hours following heavy showers. The Indian bowlers used the conditions to their advantage and did not allow the Sri Lankan batters to settle down at the R Premadasa Stadium. India will now face South Africa on April 29 for their next outing.