India survives scare to move into Super Six stages

India survived a scare against Sri Lanka before a completing a 35-run win that guarantees it a place in the Super Six stage of the ICC Women’s World Cup.Vice-captain Amita Sharma led a much improved bowling performance after a poor batting display had left India in all kinds of trouble.Mithali Raj (75 not out) was again the key player for India, one of only three Indian players to register double figures, as it struggled to reach 137-7 off 50 overs.But it would have been relieved to get to that total having at one stage been 35-4 and then 78-7, as some disciplined and consistent bowling restricted one of the pre-tournament favourites.Chamari Polgampola took 2-17, Udeshika Prabodani recorded figures of 2-20 and Suwini de Alwis achieved 2-34 in a fine all-round bowling display.A slow but steady first-wicket stand of 37 between Dedunu de Silva (21) and Chamari Polgampola (12) provided a good platform for Sri Lanka to chase its target, but once again a poor batting effort was to prove costly.