India women failed to carry their T20 form into the one-day format and lost the three-match ODI series 2-0 to Southern Stars after their six-wicket defeat in the 2nd match at Bellerive Oval, Hobart. Opening bat Smriti Mandhana, 19, struck her maiden ODI hundred to guide India to 252/8, their best ever total against Australia, but the hosts overcame the total comfortably.

India captain Mithali Raj opted for a pace-spin combo as left-arm spinner Ekta Bisht shared the new ball with Jhulan Goswami. However, the hosts negotiated the change in pace and shared a 138-run stand between Nicole Bolton (77) and captain Meg Lanning (61). It was just the second time that the two were opening the innings for Australia. Though Shikha Pandey removed both the openers in quick successions, Alex Blackwell and all-rounder Ellyse Perry put on 44 runs for the third wicket denying Indian bowlers an opening.

There was a moment in the match when Blackwell edged the ball over her head and blocked the path of wicketkeeper Sushma Verma, who was running to take a catch. It appeared that the visitors did not appeal for obstructing the field and the vice-captain remained safe. Blackwell was trapped in front for 20 as Australia lost the fourth wicket for 192 runs, but an unbroken 60-run stand for the fifth wicket sealed the victory with 20 balls to spare.

Earlier, the visitors recovered from an early jolt when MD Thirushkamini's stay in the middle lasted just one ball after opting to bat first. Perry, who had picked four wickets in the first match, struck on the first ball. The wicket brought Raj at the crease and the experienced campaigner made sure there was no further damage. The two got going and brought up the 50-run stand in 68 balls. India crossed the 100-run mark in 22.2 overs as Smriti raised her fifty in just 59 balls. The partnership seemed to be blossoming when the 150-mark was reached in 30.5 overs, but soon after Mithali was dismissed. Once again, the star for Australia was Perry, broke the important stand.

Smriti, who brought up her century in just 106 balls, could not continue as India lost another set bat in the 40th over. The fall of wickets continued as the visitors lost four more for the addition of just 28 runs. The middle-order comprising hard hitting Harmanpreet Kaur (21), Veda Krishnamurthy (4) and Jhulan Goswami (5) failed to fire as India faltered in the final lap. All-rounder Shikha Pandey remained unbeaten on 33 from 30 balls to guide India post the 250-mark.

The final ODI will be played on Sunday at the same venue. Brief scores: India women 252/8 in 50 overs (SmritiMandhana 102, Ellyse Perry 3/54) lose to Australia women 253/4 in 46.4 overs (Nicole Bolton, RajeshwariGayakwad 2/42) lose by 6 wickets

Player of the match: SmritiMandhana 102 (109b, 11x4)