Calcutta/Galle: Contrasting half-centuries from Mithali Raj and Taniya Bhatia, followed by a disciplined bowling performance helped India win the second one-day International of their ICC Women’s Championship matches against Sri Lanka by seven runs on Thursday, in Galle.

India were bowled out for a seemingly modest 219 in their fifty overs, but a collective bowling effort stopped the hosts just short at 212 in 48.1 overs, helping India gain an unassailable lead in the three-match series and two more points to their Championship tally, a report on the ICC website said. 

Sri Lanka’s chase got off to a disastrous start, as they slipped to 40 for three. Prasadani Weerakkody was the first to depart for 11 before Nipuni Hansika was run out for a duck. Rajeshwari Gayakwad trapped Dilani Manodara for a 13-ball 3 to spell more trouble for the hosts.

Chamari Athapaththu, the captain, and Shashikala Siriwardene then joined forces for a steadying 89-run stand, even as the Indian bowlers kept the run rate in check. Siriwardene was run out for 49 off 91 balls, and Athapaththu was dismissed soon after by Shikha Pandey for 57 off 95 balls.

Sripali Weerakkody showed intent in her 14-ball stay, striking a six and a four, before getting run out for 17 by Poonam Yadav. Anushka Sanjeewani was dismissed for a 20-ball 17 by Yadav for the score to read 165/7.

Nilakshi de Silva kept Sri Lanka in the hunt, striking two fours and two sixes to give India a proper scare. She was finally dismissed by Mansi Joshi in the 48th over for a 19-ball 31, with Bhatia, the wicket-keeper, running back to take a high catch.