Sultana Gouher claims four wickets as India beats SL in first ODI

Visakhapatnam: A fine bowling performance by India Women, led by left-arm spinner Gouher Sultana's four-wicket haul, helped the team post a seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka Women in the first ODI of the three-match series here today.

After bundling out Sri Lanka for a meagre 76, Indian eves achieved the target in 32.3 overs, losing three wickets in the process. The Sri Lanka team, which opted to bat, was dealt early blows as Jhulan Goswami, playing her first match since February 2013, struck early to dismiss opener Chamari Atapattu (6) and Deepika Rasangika (4).

Sri Lanka could never overcome those initial jitters and kept on losing wickets at regular intervals to eventually get dismissed for 76 in 39.3 overs. Yasoda Mendis (17) was the lone batter to reach the double-digit mark.

Sultana finished with figures of 8-4-4-4, her best in ODIs, while Goswami (2/16) and Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2/11) bagged two wickets each. In reply, Indian openers -- Karu Jain (6) and Smriti Mandhana (13) -- could add just 15 runs before their stand ended in 10.3 overs.

Although Sri Lanka picked up two more wickets, but their low total never failed to threaten the hosts. They reached 80 for three with 105 balls to spare. Mithali Raj and Anagha Deshpande (23) put on a 43-run stand together for the third wicket. Mithali finished unbeaten on 34 off 59 balls with six fours.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka Women: 76 all out in 39.3 overs (Yasoda Mendis 17; Gouher Sultana 4/04). India Women: 80 for three in 32.3 overs (Mithali Raj not out 34, Anagha Deshpande 23).