India’s women’s cricket team secured an impressive 143-run victory over South Africa in the first ODI in Bengaluru
India’s women’s cricket team secured an impressive 143-run victory over South Africa in the first ODI in Bengaluru, thanks to an outstanding century by Smriti Mandhana and a disciplined bowling spell led by spinners Asha Sobhana and Asha Sobhana Deepti Sharma
“India has won, currently leading the three-game series 1-0 with the second match to be staged on June 19”. Mandhana’s sixth ODI century (117 off 127 balls, including 12 fours and a six) was the backbone of India’s competitive total of 265 for eight on a slow Chinnaswamy pitch.
The Indian bowlers were in top form as they dismissed the South African team for just 122 runs. Asha bowled very well in the first match as a leg-spinner taking 4 wickets at a cost of 21 runs, but she was ably assisted by Deepti an off-spinner who also did not let the team down by taking 2 wickets conceding just 10 runs. The match started off well for India when pacer Renuka Singh dismissed the in-form South African captain Laura Wolvaardt in the very first over with an exceptional delivery.
South Africa experienced challenges at the beginning of the match because two of their batsmen were dismissed very quickly thus leaving the team in a difficult situation at 33 for three. Despite efforts by Marizane Kapp and Sune Luus to create a stand for the fourth wicket after losing around 39 runs, South Africa found it hard to resurrect their hopes with the rising required run rate.
Asha got Kapp caught at covers by Harmanpreet Kaur thereby breaking the partnership in the game and leaving South Africa in a fix at 74 for five. Prior in this game, Mandhana’s innings had been instrumental to the progression of India’s triumph. This showed when she partnered with Deepti whom she assisted get 37 off 48 balls, including three fours before moving on to do the same with Pooja Vastrakar while unbeaten at 31 runs thus saving them from 99 runs for five.
Earlier in the match, Mandhana’s innings played a crucial role in India’s success. She formed two important partnerships, first with Deepti (37 off 48 balls, three fours) and then with Pooja Vastrakar (31 not out), rescuing India from a precarious 99 for five.
Mandhana and Deepti shared an 81-run stand for the sixth wicket, while Pooja contributed with a 58-run partnership for the seventh wicket.When other top order batters struggled, she on the other hand showed a lot of maturity by adjusting her style to suit the conditions as well as the team’s performance; as a result, she played intelligently by picking the gaps and scoring maximums whenever the opportunity was given. In helping relieve Mandhana of the tensed atmosphere, Deepti also had her play a key role. She selected her shots well and targeted the bowlers effectively, particularly taking on Shangase with her sweep shots.
However, Deepti’s innings came to an end when she dragged a wide ball from pacer Ayabonga Khaka onto her stumps. On the other hand, Mandhana remained an anchor, continuing with an impressive batting that culminated in a perfectly timed six off pacer Masabata Klaas over mid-on that saw her score her century. However, Corona Mandhana lost her wicket shortly after scoring a century when Masabata Klaas bowled her out, and at the moment, she had played an indispensable role for India who had managed a good number of runs.
Overall, it was a fantastic team effort by India, with Mandhana’s century and the impressive bowling display leading them to a convincing victory.
Centurion Smriti Mandhana, as the spinners star of India
Smriti Mandhana hit a brilliant hundred before fine efforts led by debutant Asha Sobhana and Deepti Sharma helped India women to a comprehensive 143-run victory over South Africa in the first ODI at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Opting to bat first, India recovered from the top-order collapse to win the match at 265/8 in 50 overs. Mandana scored his sixth ODI century on what was a slow pitch and scored 117 off 127 with the help of 12 fours and a six.
Sobhana then took 4/21, Deepti 2/10 as South Africa were bowled out for just 122 in 37.4 overs as India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series
This came after pacer Renuka Singh (1/30) got India off to a perfect start and dismissed the energetic South African captain Laura Wolwardt in the first over
Volward had no answer for Renuka’s excellent nip-backer that clipped the top of his off-stump.
The Indians soon came up with the wickets of Tazmine Brits and Anneke Bose as the visitors fell to 33 for three.
Hammering Renuka for a four and a six in a row, veteran Marijan Kapp (24, 39 balls) put up a good fight for 33 with Sune Luus trying to revive the innings
But their fourth wicket partnership lasted 68 balls for 39 runs as the number of requests soared beyond seven which never really came down after that.
Hope ended the match when the leg-twin batsman was caught by Kappa in the covers by Harmanpreet Kaur.
Five dropped for 74, and South Africa always face an uphill climb.
At the beginning Mandhana made India win in a manner that truly thrilled the home crowd and went home with a century successfully.