India Women hosted South Africa Women in the first game of the three-match ODI series at Reliance Stadium in Vadodara on Wednesday (October 9).

Opting to bat first, the visitors got bowled out for a paltry 164 in 45.1 overs. Apart from Marizanne Kapp (54 off 64 balls), none of the Proteas batter managed to touch the 50-run mark.

Jhulan Goswami was the pick of the bowlers for India, claiming 3 for 33 in 7.1 overs. Shikha Pandey (2/38), Ekta Bisht (2/28) and Poonam Yadav (2/33) also bowled economically and chipped in with a couple of wickets each.

In reply, the hosts got off to a brilliant start as the duo of Priya Punia and Jemimah Rodrigues added 83 runs for the opening wicket. Nondumiso Shangase drew the first blood for South Africa by removing Jemimah for 67-ball 55.

Nonetheless, Priya held the one end firmly. She stitched 45 runs for the second wicket with Punam Raut (16) and shared an unbeaten 37-run partnership with skipper Mithali Raj (11 not out) to guide her team over the line with eight wickets in hand.

Priya eventually remained unbeaten on 75 off 124 balls (8 fours) as the Women in Blue overhauled the target in 41.4 overs.

Brief Scores:

South Africa Women – 164/10 in 45.1 overs (Marizanne Kapp 54; Jhulan Goswami 3/33) lost to India Women – 165/2 in 41.4 overs (Priya Punia 75*; Jemimah Rodrigues 55) by 8 wickets.