Smriti Mandhana hit 117 while leg-spinner Asha Sobhana took four wickets as India Women hammered their South African counterparts by 143 runs in the first ODI at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday.
In reply to India’s 265/8, the visitors were bundled out for 122 with 74 balls to spare.
Electing to bat first, the Indians were in trouble, losing half their side with just 99 runs on the board in the 22nd over. However, Mandhana held firm and was gritty enough to help India fight back.
She was ably assisted by the other senior pro of the side, Deepti Sharma (37 off 48 balls), as the duo put on 81 for the sixth wicket. When Deepti departed, India were yet to be out of the woods as the scoreboard read 180/6 in the 38th over.
Mandhana’s hard work though didn’t go waste as Pooja Vastrakar too ensured she contributed with the bat, scoring 31 off 42 balls. Mandhana’s innings comprised 12 boundaries and a maximum.
The South Africans then were off to a poor start, losing three wickets for only 33 in the 11th over before Sobhana accounted for Marizanne Kapp and polished off their lower order.
Brief scores: India Women 265/8 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 117; Ayabonga Khaka 3/47). South Africa Women 122 in 37.4 overs (Asha Sobhaba 4/21). India Women won by 143 runs.
