Harmanpreet Kaur credits Mandhana, Jhulan for win in first ODI

Harmanpreet Kaur plays a shot against England Women

India Women put up a clinical show at Hove to defeat hosts England in the first of their three-game ODI series. Senior warhorse Jhulan Goswami starred with the ball while opener Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur dropped remarkable run-chase knocks as the ‘Women in Blue’ took home the opening lead.

ENG vs IND 2022: Captain Kaur praises Smriti and Yastika for anchoring run-chase

Team India took home the contest with more than five overs to spare, off the back of crafty innings from skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and opening batter Smriti Mandhana. Wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia also charted a crucial half-century after the team had lost opener Shafali Verma within the second over of their innings.

Earlier, India’s opening bowlers Jhulan Goswami and Meghna Singh had dusted the Englishwomen for just 227. The two pacers were ably assisted by Deepti Sharma and Rajeshwari Gayakwad earlier.

After the match, captain Kaur praised her team’s efforts and credited the batters, led by Mandhana, for overhauling their target with ease. She also praised her bowlers for restricting the hosts to a modest total. While speaking at the press conference, she said:

“It was a great partnership with the ball by Jhulan and Meghna. Both bowled really well and helped the side to get off to a good start. Deepti is a smart cricketer. She adapted to the conditions really quickly.”

“It was a great start by Smriti and Yastika after losing Shafali. Both stitched a good partnership and helped the side to have a solid platform. I am always ready to give a hundred percent in the field. Overall, it was a great innings from Mandhana, and she, alongside me, added a good partnership as she took us closer to the victory line.”

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