Smriti, Sneh sparkle as India win tri-series final

The opener's 116 and spinner Rana's 4/38 help India romp to a 97-run win over hosts Sri Lanka in tri-series final in Colombo

- Shalini Gupta

CHANDIGARH: Smriti Mandhana may not have started the women's ODI tri-series with a bang, but she ended it in style on Sunday. Not having converted her starts into a big one earlier, the opener turned up with a match-winning century as India registered a 97-run win over Sri Lanka in the final to emerge champions in Colombo.

Mandhana struck a brilliant 116 (101 balls, 15x4, 2x6) to lead the way in India's robust batting performance, braving hot and humid conditions at the R Premadasa Stadium. Pratika Rawal (30-49b) played her part with a patient effort in a 70-ball opening stand after India elected to bat, nicely setting it up for the other batters as India piled up 342/7, their fourth-highest total. Sri Lanka, needing to achieve the highest chase in women's ODIs, made a promising start before sliding to 245 all out.