JHULAN, SMRITI HELP INDIA CRUSH PROTEAS IN 2ND ODI, LEVEL SERIES

LUCKNOW: A resurgent India fought back in style to outplay South Africa, registering a ninewicket victory in the second game and level the five-match women’s ODI series 1-1 at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana International Stadium here on Tuesday. Indian opener Smriti Mandhana produced a powerpacked batting display as the left-handed batter scored her 18th half-century (64b, 10x4, 3x6) and the seasoned Punam Raut hit 62 (89b, 8x4) for her 13th half-century, their unbeaten 138-run partnership carrying the hosts to victory in 28.4 overs.

Having lost the opening match by eight wickets on Sunday, the Mithali Raj-led team dominated the visitors in all departments to notch up their biggest ODI win against South Africa in terms of wickets.

Jhulan Goswami, 38, displayed her guile after Mithali Raj elected to bat. The tall pacer exploited life on the black soil turf to take 4/42, helping to dismiss the Proteas for 157 in 41 overs. India reached 160/1 in reply. Goswami, who was named player-of-the-match, and seamer Mansi Joshi, removed the openers cheaply and then made inroads in the middle-overs. Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad bagged 3/37 while Harmanpreet Kaur bowled topscorer Laura Goodall bowling her only over of part-time offbreaks.

The roles were reversed from Sunday when India, playing their first international match after a year, looked rusty. The hosts had regrouped on Tuesday to make it a one-sided affair.

South Africa 157 all out in 41 overs (L Goodall 49, J Goswami 4/42, R Gayakwad 3/37 lost to India 160/1 in 28.4 overs (S Mandhana 80*, P Raut 62*). India won by nine wickets.