IND W VS SA W ODI

Right then! That's it from the 1st ODI between India Women and South Africa Women where India Women have clinched a victory by 143 runs. The second ODI of this series is scheduled for 19th June at 1.30 PM IST (8 AM GMT) at the same venue, M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. You can join us an hour early for the pre-match buildup. Until then, cheers and stay safe.

Smriti Mandhana is the Player of the Match for her scintillating century. She says that she is happy to contribute to the win. Mentions that it was a tough task to try and switch the game to the ODI format from the T20 format. Mentions that after the loss of wickets, a partnership was necessary and appreciated Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar as well.

Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of India Women says that Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma made the win possible and appreciated Pooja Vastrakar as well. Adds that it was a great team performance. Mentions that the plan was to be there and to take the batting deep and to back the skills. Mentions that the all-rounders are essential to the team and their performance is lovely to watch. Says that being a bowler short didn't affect their plans and ended by saying she felt good to bowl.

Laura Wolvaardt, the skipper of South Africa Women says that there were a few positives and feels that 265 was a decent score to chase. Adds that the bowlers bowled well and took timely wickets as well. Mentions that they couldn't recover after the early loss of wickets and feels that they will regroup and bounce back strong.

The Presentation ceremony...

Asha Sobhana is up for a chat. She says that she kept it simple and wanted to bowl in the right areas. Mentions that she has been practicing leg spin for years and wanted to stick to the basics. Adds that she wanted to exploit the turn offered and hence she varied the pace. Feels that the stadium is special for her and it is always an amazing experience being there. Reckons that the pitch was amazing and she credits herself as well for her performance. Says that she is glad that everything went well and mentions that the team management told her to enjoy and explore. Adds that she isn't disappointed in missing out on a fifer and the win is all that matters.

Earlier in the day, India Women batting first scored 265 after 50 overs and all thanks to a sensational century from Smriti Mandhana. India Women started well but lost their way a bit in the middle overs. The side was 5 down at 99 after 21.5 overs but back-to-back partnerships over 50 runs bailed the home team out of the collapse. Smriti Mandhana was the pick of the batters as she scored 117 while Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar did well to score in mid 30s. The batters in the top order did get starts but failed to go big. For the visitors, Ayabonga Khaka was the best bowler as she picked up 3 wickets while Masabata Klaas took a couple. Others took a wicket each as well.

The bowlers of India Women were sensational throughout the game. The pacers set the tone right for the spinners and the spinners ran riots. The trio of Asha Sobhana, Deepti Sharma, and Radha Yadav took 7 wickets between them and gave away just 63 runs in 24.4 overs. Renuka Singh and Pooja Vastrakar took one each as well with Asha Sobhana, getting four on her debut. Harmanpreet Kaur was on point with her changes and made sure that the opposition didn't find any breathing space. Even after Pooja Vastrakar had to walk off the field, India Women managed to keep the pressure on the opposition and win the game comfortably.

Chasing down a massive total, the South African innings got off to a rocky start as they lost their top 3 inside 11 overs for just 33 runs. The batters were finding it tough to tackle the pacers but it became an even tougher nut to crack when the spinners were introduced by Kaur. Only Sune Luus, Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, and Sinalo Jafta were able to get into the double figures. The batting unit choked against a quality bowling unit of India Women.

A splendid batting performance backed up perfectly by the bowlers gives India Women a 1-0 lead in this series as they outclassed the visitors by 143 runs.

OUT! In the air...TAKEN! Asha Sobhana has another wicket and South Africa Women have been bowled out! She serves it a bit short and over middle and off. Ayabonga Khaka hangs back and tries to play it towards square leg but the ball catches the upper edge and flies off in the air. Richa Ghosh, the keeper collects it safely and Asha Sobhana gets four wickets on her debut.

Tossed up around off. Ayabonga Khaka edges it to the fielder at point.

Quicker and full around off. Sinalo Jafta clips it past square leg for a single.

Short again turning away outside off. Sinalo Jafta nudges it to square leg.

Pitched up on off. Ayabonga Khaka defends it from her crease.

Another full toss outside off. Ayabonga Khaka slaps it to the fielder at cover.

Flighted full on off. Ayabonga Khaka blocks it on the off side.