India Wins 2nd ODI Against South Africa: Smriti Mandhana, Punam Raut Score Half Centuries

India vs South Africa Women 2nd ODI: India won the second of the five-match ODI series between India Women’s and South Africa Women’s on March 9 by nine wickets. Ace cricketers Smriti Mandhana and Punam Raut scored half-centuries for the team.

The Indian women's cricket team, who was defeated in the series opener by South African team on Sunday, has now drawn level at 1-1 in the five-match ODI series on Tuesday. India had lost the first ODI by eight wickets. Check India -South Africa women’s series full schedule here

Team India returned to competitive cricket after playing last on 8th March 2020 during the heartbreaking final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020. The Australian team beat India by eight wickets. Now, after a gap of almost 12 months, India is ready to face South Africa in five ODIs and three T20Is on the home turf.

In the current women's ODI team, skipper Mithali Raj has played 10 Tests, scoring 663 runs which includes a double hundred (214) against England in Taunton in 2002. Batswoman Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana have played two Tests each.

Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday announced a one-off Test match for the team against England. Giving a boost to women’s cricket in the country, BCCI has announced that the Indian women cricketers will play in a Test match after a long wait of over six years.

This will be the first test for the Indian women's team since 2014. The announcement was made by BCCI secretary Jay Shah on International Women's Day. He tweeted, "On the occasion of #InternationalWomensDay, I'm pleased to announce that #TeamIndia @BCCIWomen will play a one-off Test match against @ECB_cricket later this year. The women in blue will be donning the whites again"

On the occasion of #InternationalWomensDay, I’m pleased to announce that #TeamIndia @BCCIWomen will play a one-off Test match against @ECB_cricket later this year. The women in blue will be donning the whites again 🙏🏻 🇮🇳

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) March 8, 2021

India had played their last Test match, against South Africa in November 2014 in Mysore and emerged victorious by an innings and 34 runs.

🚨 BREAKING: India Women will play their first Test since 2014 in a one-off tie against England. Details awaited.

The Indian Women's team in whites seen in 2014. How many do you recognize?

📸: Getty Images#INDvENG | #IWD2021 | #WomensCricket pic.twitter.com/jjNudSmrdM

— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) March 8, 2021

Feature Image Credits: Cricket Country