Harmanpreet credits batters after India level the ODI series

Jemimah Rodrigues produced an all-around performance in the second ODI against Bangladesh to propel the Indian team to a 108-run win and level the three-match ODI series in Mirpur. 

After being asked to bat first, India lost Priya Punia and Yastika Bhatia early in the innings. However, Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the situation before the southpaw was dismissed for 36 off 58 deliveries in the 22nd over. 

Rodrigues walked in at number five and consolidated the innings with the skipper. The duo added 73 runs for the fourth wicket before Harmanpreet had to retire hurt with a left wrist injury. 

Despite the stutter, Rodrigues continued to take the attack to the opposition and smashed 86 off 78 deliveries to guide the team to 228 runs in the first innings. 

"I would be lying to say that I was not under pressure because we saw how good Bangladesh were in the first game. Smriti, Yastika gave us a good start and Harman, and I were going really well. Then Harleen came in and gave us that push," she said in the post-match presentation. 

The 22-year-old had a dream game as she returned with the ball to scalp four wickets in 3.1 overs to derail the middle order of the home team. Speaking about her exploits with the ball, the off-spinner said, "I didn't try to do anything extra, just tried to pitch it in the right areas and allow the surface to do the rest."

Bangladesh lost their last seven wickets for 14 runs, with Jemimah Rodrigues and Devika Vaidya scalping seven wickets between them to dismantle the hosts. 

The win ensured India leveled the three-match series after losing the first game by 40 runs, and Harmanpreet credited the batters for setting up the game for the visiting side after being sent into bat first. 

"We wanted to bat only. It was a great opportunity for us to bat first and set up a decent total on the board. We spoke about one of the batters batting till the end, when Jemi came in, we played according to the ball, and the focus was on rotating the strike."

"We have been batting on flat tracks, played ODIs after a long time and hence were not able to adjust quickly, but we spoke about how to adjust and bat on these surfaces after the first game. It will be a good game in two days' time," she further added. 

On the other hand, Nahida Akter, the vice-captain of the side, addressed the presentation as regular skipper, Nigar Sultana Joty, was unwell. The left-arm spinner admitted the bowling was not up to the mark in the first innings but vowed to bounce back in the last game of the series. 

"The fielding was not good, and the bowling too. We could not restrict them, and India posted a good total. Bangladesh will look to overcome the hurdles and play better in the final ODI," she concluded. 

The third and final ODI will take place on Saturday, July 22, at the Shere Bangla Stadium in Dhaka.