India Women vs South Africa Women, 1st ODI: South Africa Cruise Past India, Win by 8 wickets

Liezel Lee and Laura Volhardt shared the biggest opening wicket stand ever drawn against India to give South Africa a stunning eight-wicket victory in the first ODI of the five-match series on Sunday. Told to bat, India never got the pace they needed and despite scoring a half-century from skipper Mithali Raj (50 off 85) and a quick 40-run knock off 41 balls from her deputy Harmanpreet Kaur, she managed only 177 runs. . Lee (122 not out). Volvard (80 for 110) helped South Africa chase down the target with a target of 169 runs in 40.1 overs.

India will want to quickly forget their first outing in 12 months and in the next game will be stronger than a game that has come into the series with a lot of game time.

The South African opening pair did not appear to be in any trouble against the Indian pacers as well as their high-class spinners. Lee hit 11 fours and a six while Volvard scored 12 fours.

Veteran India fast bowler Jhulan Goswami (2/38), playing his first game since November 2019, was most impressive in an otherwise disappointing bowling effort. Debutant paceman Monica Patel got only four overs in which she conceded 20 runs.

The spin-bowling trio of Rajeshwari Gaikwad, Deepti Sharma and Poonam Yadav failed to provide any success to sustain India in the game.

Earlier, India lost their first three wickets for 40 runs after an innings of 62 runs between Raj and Kaur, including star opener Smriti Mandhana (14 for 20), who was superb during her short stay. Can be seen in touch.

Harmanpreet, playing her 100th ODI match, looked very feared, but she played a big shot and caught the catch several times. He hit six fours in his entertaining knock. Raj, who took some time to go to his first game since November 2019, then extended the innings by sharing a 52-run partnership with Deepti Sharma (27 for 46). But a complete toss resulted in a collapse that put India back at 154 for eight in 160 for four. Skipper’s innings included four fours and a six.

Senior South African fast bowler Shabnam Ismail made the bowlers’ choice, taking three wickets for 28 runs in 10 overs.

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The Indian players did not get to play in the last 12 months due to the COVID-19 epidemic, while South Africa had recently beaten Pakistan 3–0 at home.

Brief Score: India: 9 out of 177 in 50 overs (Mithali Raj 50, Harmanpreet Kaur 40, Deepti Sharma 27; Shabim Ismail 3/28, N Malaba 2/41). South Africa (Lizelle Lee 83 not out, Laura Volvard 80; Jhulan Goswami 2/38).