[WATCH]- India Off To A Dream Start As Renuka Singh Thakur’s Inswinger Stuns Laura Wolvaardt In The INDW vs SAW 1st ODI

Renuka Singh Thakur, the fast bowler, initiated another excellent start for India in the first ODI against South Africa in Bengaluru on Sunday, June 16. She dismissed South Africa’s captain and key batter Laura Wolvaardt with an exceptional delivery, sending her back to the pavilion after scoring just four runs off four balls.

Thakur is renowned for posing challenges to opponents early in the innings, and India couldn’t have hoped for a more ideal beginning to their defense of 266. Wolvaardt attempted to drive a delivery of good length but misjudged it as the ball pitched and swung back sharply, sneaking through the gap between her bat and pad to dislodge the off-stump.

Early in the match, Renuka Singh Thakur strikes timber in the first over, marking an early success for Team India. You can watch the dismissal video here:

https://x.com/BCCIWomen/status/1802315117155271166

Laura Wolvaardt could only watch in disbelief as she made her way back to the pavilion. Renuka Singh Thakur and the rest of the Indian players were jubilant, which was understandable considering Wolvaardt’s pivotal role in South Africa’s aspirations.

India restrict South African batsmen after they set a competitive total in the first innings

Smriti Mandhana’s superb century, scoring 117 runs, enabled the Indian team to set a competitive total of 265/8 in 50 overs on a sluggish pitch in Bengaluru. The focus was on maintaining control with the ball, a task executed well by Renuka Singh Thakur and Pooja Vastrakar.

Thakur claimed the crucial wicket of Laura Wolvaardt, while Vastrakar followed up by dismissing Anneke Bosch early, restricting her to just 5 runs from 13 balls. Together, the two pacers bowled eight overs, conceding only 26 runs and taking two wickets.

India will now rely on their spinners to capitalize further by disrupting the South African batters’ rhythm and preventing substantial partnerships.

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