Vadodara (Gujarat): All-round India women's cricket team on Wednesday handed South Africa women a massive eight-wicket defeat in the first One-Day-International (ODI) to take 1-0 lead in the three-match series here on Wednesday.
In reply to South Africa's 165 runs target, India got off a flying start to their chase as the opening pair, comprising of Priya Punia (75 not out) and Jemimah Rodrigues (55), amassed 83 runs for the first wicket to provide the hosts with a solid foundation for a comfortable victory. The Indian eves chased down the target with 50 balls in hand.
However, their resistance was cut short as Jemimah Rodrigues was caught in front of the stumps off the bowling of Nondumiso Shangase in the fourth delivery of the 21st over.
After her dismissal, Punam Raut and Priya Punia built a 45-run partnership for the second wicket before Raut was scalped by Nadine de Klerk.
Punia then along with skipper Mithali Raj chased down the target with eight overs still left.
Earlier, Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp's knocks of 39 and 54 respectively allowed South Africa to post a score of 164/10 after opting to bat first.
Among the Indian bowlers, veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami was outstanding on Wednesday as she picked up three wickets giving away mere 33 runs. She was ably supported by Shikha Pandey, Ekta Bisht and Poonam Yadav as the trio took two-wicket each to keep South Africa at their toe. Off-spinner Deepti Sharma chipped in with the scalp of Laura Wolvaardt.
Both the teams will now face each other at the same venue on October 11 in the second ODI.
