India thrash SL in World Cup Qualifier

Colombo : India opened their campaign at the ICC women’s World Cup Qualifier in style, producing a collective batting performance to thrash Sri Lanka by 114 runs here today. Electing to bat, India scored 259/4, and then restricted Sri Lanka to just 145/8 for a thumping win. Devika Vaidya (89), opener Deepti Sharma (54) and skipper Mithali Raj (70) were the top run-getters for India.
India got off to a slow start but a 123-run stand between Devika and Deepti for the second wicket put them on course for a big total. While Devika, who was adjudged Player of the Match, smashed 11 fours, Deepti hit four boundaries and a six in her 96-ball knock. Mithali then played herself in and scored an unbeaten 70 off 62 deliveries, her 41st ODI fifty.
For Sri Lanka, Hasini Perera (34) and Chamari Atapattu (30) were the top run-getters. “It’s always good to start with a win. We had started slowly but Devika and Deepti put up a useful partnership. It was a good pitch to bat on and we enjoyed batting out there,” said Mithali. Brief scores: India: 259/4 in 50 overs (Devika Vaidya 89, Mithali Raj 70, Deepti harma 54; Udeshika Prabodhani 2/56); Sri Lanka: 145/8 in 50 overs (Hasini Perera 34, Chamari Atapattu 30).