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In the opening match of the , India clinched a remarkable victory against South Africa on Sunday by the commanding margin of 143 runs at M ๊Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sun▨day (June16).
Smriti Mandhana’s masterclass propels India to commanding score
India Women’s innings against South Africa Women was characterized by a standout performance from Smriti Mandhana, whose elegant century laid the foundation for a formidable total. After losing the early wicket of Shafali Verma (7), Mandhana anchored the innings with a composed 117 off 127 deliveries. Her innings included 12 boundaries and a six, showcasing her ability to control the game. Despite early setbacks, including the quick departures of Dayalan Hemalatha (12) and Harmanpreet Kaur (10), Mandhana held firm, forming crucial partnerships with Jemimah Rodrigues (17) and Deepti Sharma (37).
India’s middle order bolstered the innings further with valuable contributions from Richa Ghosh (3) and a brisk unbeaten knock by Pooja Vastrakar (31*), ensuring a competitive total of 265/8 in their allotted 50 overs. The South African bowling attack, led by Ayabonga Khaka‘s disciplined spell (3/47), managed to pick up regular wickets but struggled to contain Mandhana’s dominance and India’s determined batting lineup.
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South Africa’s stumble in response: Asha Sobhana’s brilliance
Chasing 266 for victory, South Africa Women faced an uphill task from the start as Renuka Singh struck in the first over to dismiss Laura Wolvaardt (4) Tazmin Brits (18) and Anneke Bosch (5) followed soon after, leaving South Africa reeling at 33/3. Sune Luus (33) and Marizanne Kapp (24) attempted to🅺 stabilize the inni🌸ngs, but the Indian bowlers maintained consistent pressure.
The turning point came with the introduction of Asha Sobhana, whose spin wizardry wreaked havoc on the South African batting lineup. Sobhana’s spell of 4/21 in 8.4 overs dismantled the middle order, claiming key wickets including Kapp and Luus. Radha Yadav (1/32) and Deepti (2/10) provided crucial support, ensuring South Afric💧a never regained momentum. The innings folded for 122 in 37.4 overs, well short of the target.
Here’s how X reacted:
A historic feat for Captain Smriti ❤️
Only the second Indian woman to cross 7000 International runs! Congratulations, Skip! 👏ꦉ
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets)
Elsewhere, Asha completes a✅ big win for India over South Africa in the first ODI. Well set up by Smriti.
A good game for India! 🇮🇳
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS)
Domination from 's RCB players.
Smriti Mandhana with a century
Asha Sobhana Joy with a four-fer
Crowd very very happy to back their home players
A good day to be a cricket fan— Lavanya 🎙️🎥👩🏻💻 (@lav_narayanan)
Smriti Mandhana was injured and was struggling𒁃 to run during the batting but she fought and scored a masterclass hundr𝄹ed when India was 99/5 against South Africa. 🫡
— Suhana (@suhana18_)
What a day for RCB girls at their home ground.
Century for RCB captain Smriti
4-fer for Asha👏👏
— Krithika (@krithika0808)
Wow the turn on that! Fewer sights that please a leg-spiꦗnner more. Fanta👍stic debut for Asha!
— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7)
Someone had twee♍ted SA are chasing it down in 40-45 overs. 😂😂😂�𝔍�😂😂
— Kartik O 🏏⚽🔗 (@KOCricket528)
Sensational Hundred By Smriti Mandhana!! 💙🙌
CONGRATULATIONS
High Quality 💦Innings By Her, When 𒈔Wickets Were Falling From The Other End. She Made A Strong Partnership With Deepti Sharma & Took India To A Very Good Total.— ARVIND SINGH RAJPUROHIT🎶 (@avrajpuroꦡhit108)
6th ODI century for Smriti Mandhana!!!
What a fantastic knock!!
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA)
A special first ODI 💯 in India 💙
Lucky to live in the era of Smriti Mandhana 🤌
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan)
💯 for Smriti Mandhana 👏
— Junjesh Legha (@Jatjunjeshlegha)
💯 for Smriti Mandhana 👏
— Junjesh Legha (@Jatjunjeshlegha)
Smriti Mandhana now has the highest ODI score by an Indian woman at home, surpassing Mithali Raj's 109* against West Indies from 2009. 11 visiting batters have achieved a higher score in India.
— Lalith Kalidas (@lal__kal)
Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana scored a superb ton to set up 's win & bagged the Player of the Match award in the 1⃣st ODI 👏 👏
Scorecard ▶️ |
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen)
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This article was first published at , a Cricket Times company.