<p>Opener Smriti Mandhana hit a patient 86 to guide India to a competitive 274 for 7 against Australia in the second women’s ODI of the three-match series here on Friday.</p>.<p>Mandhana hit 11 boundaries to register her 19th half-century after the visitors were sent in to bat. She shared two crucial partnerships -- 76 runs with Richa Ghosh (44) and 74 runs with Shafali Verma (22) -- to help India set up a good total.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/womens-odi-australia-win-toss-put-india-in-to-bat-1033703.html" target="_blank">Women's ODI: Australia win toss, put India in to bat</a></strong></p>.<p>It is the highest total scored against Australia since their 25-match winning streak started in 2018.</p>.<p>India were off to a flying start with Mandhana and Shafali (22) racing to 68/0 in the first 10 overs, their best in the 10 ODIs they have played this year.</p>.<p>But the threatening opening stand was soon broken by spinner Sophie Molineux in the 12th over as she dismissed the latter.</p>.<p>A mix up then led to skipper Mithali Raj’s (8) run out followed by Yastika Bhatia’s (3) departure as the hosts made a strong comeback.</p>.<p>Mandhana and Ghosh then steadied the ship, keeping the scoreboard ticking but the opener sliced it straight to point which marked the end of her innings.</p>.<p>Pooja Vastrakar (29) and Jhulan Goswami (28 not out) added 53 runs to help India breach the 250-run mark.</p>.<p>Tahlia McGrath (3/45) was the pick of the bowlers for Australia with Molineux (2/28) picking two wickets.</p>.<p>India bowlers, who were pedestrian in the series opener, will need to do a much better job to stop Australia.</p>.<p>Brief Scores: India 274 for 7 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 86, Richa Ghosh 44; Tahlia McGrath (3/45), Sophie Molineux (2/28), Darcie Brown (1/63)</p>.<p><strong>Check out latest DH videos here: </strong></p>
<p>Opener Smriti Mandhana hit a patient 86 to guide India to a competitive 274 for 7 against Australia in the second women’s ODI of the three-match series here on Friday.</p>.<p>Mandhana hit 11 boundaries to register her 19th half-century after the visitors were sent in to bat. She shared two crucial partnerships -- 76 runs with Richa Ghosh (44) and 74 runs with Shafali Verma (22) -- to help India set up a good total.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/womens-odi-australia-win-toss-put-india-in-to-bat-1033703.html" target="_blank">Women's ODI: Australia win toss, put India in to bat</a></strong></p>.<p>It is the highest total scored against Australia since their 25-match winning streak started in 2018.</p>.<p>India were off to a flying start with Mandhana and Shafali (22) racing to 68/0 in the first 10 overs, their best in the 10 ODIs they have played this year.</p>.<p>But the threatening opening stand was soon broken by spinner Sophie Molineux in the 12th over as she dismissed the latter.</p>.<p>A mix up then led to skipper Mithali Raj’s (8) run out followed by Yastika Bhatia’s (3) departure as the hosts made a strong comeback.</p>.<p>Mandhana and Ghosh then steadied the ship, keeping the scoreboard ticking but the opener sliced it straight to point which marked the end of her innings.</p>.<p>Pooja Vastrakar (29) and Jhulan Goswami (28 not out) added 53 runs to help India breach the 250-run mark.</p>.<p>Tahlia McGrath (3/45) was the pick of the bowlers for Australia with Molineux (2/28) picking two wickets.</p>.<p>India bowlers, who were pedestrian in the series opener, will need to do a much better job to stop Australia.</p>.<p>Brief Scores: India 274 for 7 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 86, Richa Ghosh 44; Tahlia McGrath (3/45), Sophie Molineux (2/28), Darcie Brown (1/63)</p>.<p><strong>Check out latest DH videos here: </strong></p>