India Women team thrash South Africa by 88 runs in first ODI
South African women were wrapped up for 125 runs by India's lethal bowling duo, Jhulan Goswami (4/24) and Shikha Pandey (3/23), as they fell 88 runs short of the target. Earlier, Smriti Mandhana (84) and skipper Mithali Raj (45) had helped the side put up a competitive target of 214 runs.
After winning the toss at Diamond Oval, Punam Raut and Mandhana built a partnership of 55 runs for the first wicket. Rautâs exit introduced skipper Mithali Raj, who tried to give a strong start to the Indian team. Before losing the second wicket in the form of Mandhana, the score was 154 as the opener played an 84-run knock off 98 balls, which also helped her reach the milestone of 1000 runs in the 50-overs format.
The Indian womenâs team skipper was next to be dismissed, who missed her half-century as she had to return to the pavilion making 45 runs off 70 balls. Harmanpreet Kaur and Sushma Verma contributed 16 and 15 runs respectively, which helped them set a total of 213 runs for the loss of seven wickets. For South African women, Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka grabbed two wickets each and Masabata Klaas managed only one.
The Proteas failed to start their innings on a good note as they lost their three players within the score of only 23. Opener Laura Wolvaardt was trying to hold the strike from one end but Shikha Pandey sent her back in the 18th over, when she was playing at 21. Skipper Dane van Niekerk was the highest scorer for the hosts, as she managed 41 runs off 88 balls before losing her wicket.
Jhulan Goswami and Shikha Pandeyâs attack helped Indian to get wickets
After one game, India