India vs SA women: Mithali Raj & Co notch up comprehensive win in 1st ODI

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Bengaluru, February 5: India women picked up a 88-run win over hosts South Africa in the first One-Day International of their tour at the Diamond Oval in Kimberly on Monday (February 5).

Electing to bat first, India posted a credible 213/7 in 50 overs riding on Smriti Mandhana's 84. Captain Mithali Raj (45) kept her company and both stitched a 99-run partnership for the second wicket. Raj departed at 155 just after Mandhana's dismissal. However, Harmanpreet Kaur and wicketkeeper Sushma Verma stretched India's total to 213.

The Indian bowlers then ran riot over the South African batsmen. Medium pacer Shikha Pandey (3/23) got rid of the top order as SA were reduced to 23/3. Opener Laura Wolvaardt (21 off 43) appeared to give a fight but she was claimed by Poonam Yadav. Captain Dane vie Niekerk (41 off 88) offered much resistance and guided South Africa to the 100 mark. But wickets kept tumbling in the other and with the soaring run rate, Niekerk took matters into her own hands.

Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad flung a tempting one to make her charge out in the 37th over and Sushma Verma made no mistake in the stumping.

After Niekerk's dismissal, South Africa women put up just 25 runs on the board to be all out for 125 in 43.2 overs.

Marizanne Kapp (23) and Sune Luus (21) also entered double digits for South Africa but were restricted by the effective Indian bowling attack.

Right-arm pacer Jhulan Goswami (4/24) accounted for the lower order of South Africa.

India also picked up two points in the ICC Women's Championship courtesy the win.

India will play two more ODIs and five T20Is against South Africa.

They play the second ODI in two days in Kimberly again.

Brief scores: India Women 213/7 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 84, Mithali Raj 45; Marizanne Kapp 2/26, Ayabonga Khaka 2/47) bt South Africa Women 125 in 43.2 overs (Dane van Niekerk 41; Jhulan Goswami 4/24, Shikha Pandey 3/23) by 88 runs.