India beats Ireland by 116 runs in second ODI to clinch series – Talking Points

The Indian women's cricket team registered a massive 116-run victory in the second of the three-match home WODI series against Ireland at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium in Rajkot, Gujarat on Sunday.

With this win, India took an unassailable 2-0 lead and sealed its victory. It is a strong start for India to a World Cup year, scheduled to be held in India.

Jemimhah Rodrigues was adjudged the player of the match for her maiden ODI century, helping India to put up a mammoth total on the board.

Here are the major talking points from the match:

#5 Highest-ever WODI total of India

India posted 370 runs for 5 wickets from its stipulated 50 overs. Three Indian batters - Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol - crossed the 50-run mark, while Jemimah slammed a hundred.

The massive opening wicket partnership of 156 runs between Smriti and Pratika gave India a solid start to the match which was later supported by an 183-run partnership for the third wicket between Jemimah and Harleen.

This was India's highest-ever total in the women's one-day internationals. It was also only the third occasion when the Indian team went past the 350-run mark.

#4 Maiden ODI century for Jemimah

The experienced Indian middle-order batter was the star of the show as she scored her maiden ODI century. She played a brilliant innings of 102 runs off 91 balls, having scored 12 boundaries.

She has also completed her 1000 ODI runs in just 41 matches, having averaged 29.43. Jemimah is the 11th Indian female batter to achieve this mark.

#3 100th ODI Match for Deepti Sharma

In another milestone event, the star Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma has earned her 100th ODI cap against Ireland. She is now the sixth Indian woman to achieve this feat.

She backed this historic day with a tremendous bowling performance as she was the leading wicket-taker in the match, picking up three wickets with an economy rate of 3.7.

#2 Irish batters fightback

Despite chasing a huge total, Ireland's batters showed their composure and put up a brave fight. But with Deepti picking up two wickets, Ireland's lower middle-order failed to keep up the tempo, and the side was restricted to 254 for 7 in 50 overs.

The wicket-keeper batter, Coulter Reilly, played a brilliant knock of 80 before being bowled by Titas Sadhu while going for a big shot.

#1 Bright start for India to the new year

India has ensured its series victory with a match in hand, making a solid start to the new year. With the ODI World Cup coming up this year, this victory will set the tone for India's preparations for the marquee event.

The team is now expected to rest its seasoned players and give a chance to the youngsters in the third and final ODI on January 15 to test its bench strength.