The Indian women’s cricket team faced a six-wicket defeat in the first game of the 5-match T20I series against South Africa in Durban on Friday.

India, batting first, posted a total of 157 for 7, which South Africa chased down comfortably in 19.1 overs, to take an early 1-0 lead in the series.

Shreyanka Patil was the standout bowler for India as she took up 2 wickets, but the otherwise inconsistent bowling lineup failed to restrict South Africa.

The aggressive Indian opening batter Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave a quick start to the innings, putting up 46 runs in the first 5 overs.

But then, both the openers departed within the next six deliveries and forced Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur to rebuild the Innings from scratch.

The two batters did exactly what was needed and built up a 71-run partnership for the third wicket, giving a solid base for the last five overs.

But after Jemimah departed for 36 off 29, captain Harmanpreet received little support from the lower order as India managed just 33 runs in the last 5 overs, finishing with a modest 157.

Chasing this, South Africa had very little trouble as captain Laura Wolvaardt (51) and then Annerie Dercksen (44) comfortably took the team beyond the finishing line.

Indian spinners Shreyanka and Sree Charani tried to put the brakes on the South Africa run rate, but didn’t get support from the other end, and India faced a defeat.

Match Summary

India: 157-7 (20) | Harmanpreet Kaur, 47 (38)* | Ayabonga Khaka, 3-16

South Africa: 158-4 (19.1) | Laura Wolvaardt, 51(39) | Shreyanka Patil, 2-26