Opener Mithali Raj held the innings together with an unbeaten half-century as Indian women notched up a comfortable seven-wicket victory over South Africa in the first T20 International 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.
This is India’s highest successful run-chase in the shortest format, comfortably better than their previous highest of 141.
India lead the five-match T20 International series 1-0.
Mithali’s knock came from 48 deliveries and she hit six fours, one six and carried her bat through the innings. India finished at 168/3 18.5 overs.
The 17-year-old Mumbai player Rodrigues, playing for the first time in India colours, 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. Smriti Mandhana, contributed 28 while one-down Harmanpreet Kaur was run out for a duck in the first ball she faced.
Earlier, put into bat, South Africa scored 164/4 in their allotted 20 overs, with Chloe Tryon making a hurricane 32 not out off just seven balls. She struck four sixes and two boundaries in a late batting pyrotechnic.
A heel injury has forced veteran India pacer Jhulan Goswami to withdraw from the five-match series but the team did not feel her absence till Tyron’s blitz gave the South Africans a competitive total. For India, Anuja Patil grabbed two wickets for four runs while Shikha Pandey and Pooja Vastrakar took one apiece.
Brief Scores: South Africa 164/4 in 20 overs (Chloe Tryon 32 not out) lost to India 168/3 (Mithali Raj 54 not out) by seven wickets.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!