It was not the most memorable welcome back into international cricket for India Women. The signs of rustiness were too evident during their eight-wicket defeat in the first ODI of against South Africa, at the Ekana International Stadium in Lucknow. Shabnim Ismail was the wrecker-in-chief with the ball, ending with figures of 3-28, while Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka ensured that runs were not easy to come by. The Indians were not able to hit a four after the 36th over, and eventually ended with a below-par 177/9.
Despite two vital stands, both involving skipper Mithali Raj, India lacked intent as a cluster of wickets – their greatest weakness in white-ball cricket over the last few seasons – stalled their run flow. Raj, who scored her 54th ODI fifty, shared a 62-run stand with Harmanpreet Kaur and followed it up with a 52-run partnership with Deepti Sharma to help India recover from 40/3. At one point they were 154/4 in 37.4 overs, but the dismissal of Raj sparked a collapse, and India could manage only 23 more runs for the loss of six wickets.
Smriti Mandhana started off proceedings with three boundaries and seemed set for a big score before she bottom-edged a delivery from Khaka. Wicketkeeper Trisha Chetty took a fine diving catch forward. Jemimah Rodrigues, who opened with Mandhana, got a leading edge to Lizelle Lee at gully as Kapp picked up her first wicket of the day.
Raj walked out at this point. Punam Raut fell soon, but Raj and Kaur steadied things. Playing her 100th ODI, Kaur was the aggressor as she scored a run-a-ball 40. She played several breathtaking shots, including a swipe to long-leg to bring up India’s 100. Just when she was looking all set for a big score, Kaur failed to clear long-off off Sune Luus.
Raj continued to consolidate, slightly increasing the pace thereafter. She had scored only 26 off the first 50 balls she faced, but eventually got to her fifty in 84 deliveries. With Sharma for company, she looked to push India to 220. But she hit Ismail straight to point just two deliveries after her fifty, and Team India could never recover.
In reply, the South Africans took full advantage of the lack of sting in India’s bowling, with openers Lee and Laura Wolvaardt sharing a 169-run stand in 37.1 overs. Jhulan Goswami was economical, but debutant left-arm seamer Monica Patel was erratic in comparison. She went for five runs an over. Between them, Sharma and Rajeshwari conceded 59 runs in 12 overs, which allowed the visitors to run amok and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series. Goswami’s double strike came too late in the game.
The second game will be held at the same venue on 9 March.
Brief scores:
India Women 177/9 in 50 overs (Mithali Raj 50, Harmanpreet Kaur 40; Shabnim Ismail 3-28, Nonkululeko Mlaba 2-41) lost to South Africa Women 178/2 in 40.1 overs (Lizelle Lee 83*, Laura Wolvaardt; Jhulan Goswami 2-38) by 8 wickets with 59 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Shabnim Ismail.