India and Ireland cricketers celebrating Pongal (Photo Source: BCCI Women)
The India and Ireland women’s cricket teams came together to celebrate Makar Sankranti, an Indian harvest festival, ahead of their third ODI match in Rajkot on January 15.
Makar Sankranti, which symbolizes the end of winter and the beginning of longer days, is celebrated with great excitement across India through kite flying, bonfires, and preparing sweets made from sesame and jaggery. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video, where players from both sides were seen flying kites in the team hotel and sharing a great bond.
Festive mode 🔛 when in Rajkot 🪁
Team India 🤝 Team Ireland#TeamIndia | #INDvIRE | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @IrishWomensCric pic.twitter.com/dCGU54SwDj
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) January 14, 2025
Also Read: India Women vs Ireland Women Match Preview, 3rd ODI
India have secured a 2-0 lead in the series
Meanwhile, the Women in Blue have secured a 2-0 lead in the series and will look to clean sweep the visitors. The hosts have been brilliant in the ongoing series, with strong performances from both batters and bowlers. Pratika Rawal has been a standout player, scoring back-to-back half-centuries and forming solid partnerships with Smriti Mandhana. In the second ODI, the Indian team posted their highest-ever ODI total of 370/5, thanks to contributions from centurion Jemimah Rodrigues, Mandhana, and Harleen Deol.
On the bowling front, Deepti Sharma has picked five wickets, while emerging players like Priya Mishra and Titas Sadhu continue to contribute to the team’s success. On the other hand, the Irish team, led by skipper Gaby Lewis, has shown brilliance in brief moments with individual performances but has struggled in fielding and bowling department, respectively.
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