A well-constructed maiden ODI century at home from Smriti Mandhana, followed by a spin chokehold, helped India begin the multi-format series with an emphatic 143-run rout of South Africa at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, June 16.
In trying conditions, Mandhana ushered India to a competitive total of 265/8 with her sixth ODI hundred before the spin trio, led by Asha Sobhana’s impressive 4-21, rolled out South Africa for just 122 inside 38 overs to collect the two ICC Women’s ODI Championship points up for grabs.
Mandhana batted for 200 minutes of India’s 217, braving cramps to put on a masterclass that held the innings together after South Africa had the better of the early exchanges. The India vice-captain began with stylish cover drives before targetting her preferred on-side, hitting half of her dozen boundaries in the natural swinging arc between square leg and midwicket during her assured knock of 117. But it wasn’t before a fair share of hiccups, on a pitch with some up and down bounce, for a rusty top-order with India not having had a brush with the 50-overs format in over five months.