The Indian team is playing its first match in the last 12 months due to the Kovid-19 epidemic. In the first ODI released at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana International Stadium in Lucknow, South Africa have an easy challenge of 178 runs. Batting first after losing the toss, the Indian women were able to score only 177/9 runs in the stipulated 50 overs. India’s score was 154 for four at one time, which was soon reduced to 160 for eight wickets. Captain Mithali Kaur scored the most 50 runs for India.
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During this, Mithali Raj equaled a big record of Sachin Tendulkar called ‘Lord of Cricket’. Mithali is playing her fourth decade of international cricket today. Mithali, who started ODI cricket since 1999, has played cricket every decade. In this way, his career became 21 years and 254 days. He surpassed Sri Lankan veteran Sanath Jayasuriya in the case of the longest one-day career, although Sachin Tendulkar is still at the forefront. Whose career was 22 years and 91 days long.
India lost three wickets within 40 runs, including star opener Smriti Mandhana (14 runs off 20 balls), after which Mithali (50 off 85 balls) and Harmanpreet (40 off 41 balls) tried to shape the innings. Harmanpreet, playing his 100th ODI, took an aggressive approach and played some good shots. His innings, however, did not last long. He hit six fours before being caught at log off.
It took some time for Mithali to set his feet at the crease but he held one end. He later shared a 52-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Deepti Sharma (26 off 46 balls). The Indian innings was shattered like cards after Mithali was dismissed on the full-back. The Indian captain’s innings included four fours and a six. For South Africa, fast bowler Shabnim Ismail took three wickets for 28 runs in 10 overs. Spinner Nonakuleko Malaba took two wickets for 41 runs.
