Jhulan Goswami, Smriti Mandhana Lead India To Series Leveling Win Against South Africa

A strong all-round performance helped India women bounce back from their series-opening defeat against South Africa with a comfortable nine-wicket win in the second ODI here on Tuesday. Jhulan Goswami

Lara Goodall (49) and captain Sune Luus (36) then rebuilt nicely with a 60-run third-wicket partnership that took South Africa up to 80 for two in the 21st over.

But things went all wrong from there as Jhulan and Rajeshwari Gayakwad (3/37) cut through the middle order and tail, the visitors dismissed with nine overs remaining.

Shabnim Ismail (1/46) did manage to land an early blow when she bowled Jemimah Rodrigues (9), but an unbroken 138-run second-wicket partnership charged India to victory.

The result ended a seven-match winning streak for the Proteas. Match three of the series takes place on Friday.

Brief scores: South Africa 157 all out in 41 overs (Lara Goodall 49, Sune Luus 36; Jhulan Goswami 4/42, Rajeshwari Gayakwad 3/37) lost to India 160/1 in 28.4 overs (Smriti Mandhana 80 not out, Punam Raut 62 not out) by nine wickets with 128 balls remaining.