Mandhana's 91, Harmanpreet's 74* guides India Women to a 7 wicket win over England

Smriti Mandhana drives through the covers [Image Credits- Twitter]

Sensational bowling spells from the legendary Jhulan Goswami (1/20 in 10 overs) and Deepti Sharma (2-33 in 10) and brilliant knocks from Yastika Bhatia (50 off 47), Smriti Mandhana (91 off 99) and unbeaten half-century from skipper Harmanpreet Kaur helped India women claim a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series as they beat England by 7 wickets in the 1st ODI on Sunday, September 18.

Chasing 228 on a two-paced surface that was keeping low, India got off to a poor start as they lost opener Shafali Verma for 1 (6) in the 2nd over of their innings.

However, Yastika Bhatia's intent-laden pristine stroke play and Smriti's ever constant grace ensured that the early blow did not derail the Women in Blue as the duo went on to add 96 runs in just over 15 overs.

Yastika notched up a well-deserved 50 in just 46 deliveries before she got clean bowled by spinner Charlotte Dean.

However, it did not matter one bit as Smriti went on doing what she does best: play long, match-winning innings. She brought up her 24th half-century with a lofted off-drive off Dean in 61 deliveries.

Smriti got brilliant company in the form of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who struggled initially against spin before settling into her rhythm.

Mandhana missed out on a well-deserved hundred as she holed out to Davison Richards off Kate Cross at the score of 91, but Harman, en-route to her half-century, ensured she stayed till the end to seal a comfortable 7-wicket win.