Mithali Raj guides India to seven-wkt win over Proteas

Opener Mithali Raj held the innings together with an unbeaten halfcentury as Indian women notched up a comfortable seven-wicket victory over South Africa in the first T20 International here on Tuesday.

Mithali (54) shared two crucial stands -- a 69-run partnership for the third wicket with debutant Jemimah Rodrigues (37) and then added 52 runs with Veda Krishnamurthy (37 not out) for the unbroken fourth wicket -- as India chased down a target of 165 with seven balls to spare.

India led the five-match T20 International series 1-0.

Mithali's knock, her 11th T20 International half century, came from 48 deliveries and she hit six fours, one six and carried her bat through the innings. India finished at 168 for three in 18.5 overs.

The 17-year-old Mumbai player Rodrigues also batted impressively, hitting four boundaries and a six during her breezy 27-ball knock.

After Rodrigues was out in the 14th over, Krishnamurthy did not allow the momentum to slow down, as she hit three boundaries and three sixes in her 22-ball innings. The other opener, Smriti Mandhana, contributed 28 while one-down Harmanpreet Kaur was run out for nought in the first ball she faced.

For South Africa, legspinner Dane van Niekerk and left-arm pacer Moseline Daniels, took a wicket apiece.

Brief Scores: South Africa: 164/4 in 20 overs (Dane van Niekerk 38; Chloe Tryon 32 not out; Anuja Patil 2/23).

India: 168/3 in 18.5 overs (Mithali Raj 54 not out, Jemimah Rodrigues 37, Veda Krishnamurthy 37 not out; Dane van Niekerk 1/23, Moseline Daniels 1/16).