IND-W vs SA-W, 1st ODI: Asha Sobhana makes 50-over format debut as India elect to bat first in Bengaluru

Asha Sobhana. (Source – BCCI)

The India women and South Africa women multi-format series begins with the ODI leg today at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. India won the toss and elected to bat first. Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur announced that Asha Sobhana would be making her ODI debut at her WPL home ground. The home team is fielding a full-strength XI, including the likes of Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh, among others.

Notably, Deepti Sharma is playing her 200th international game for India. The 26-year-old all-rounder has now played 109 T20Is, 87 ODIs, and 4 Tests, scoring 3319 runs and picking up 234 wickets in total.

For South Africa, all-rounder Annerie Dercksen also makes her ODI debut in this match. The 23-year-old has only played in the shortest format for the national side, performing underwhelmingly in her seven matches so far. Like India, the visitors are also coming into the game full strength. Captained by Laura Wolvaardt, the South African team comprises of veteran Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Ayabhonga Khaka, among others.

Here’s Asha Sobhana receiving her cap –

Also Read: Harmanpreet Kaur to lead as India announce squads for multi-format series versus South Africa

Asha Sobhana – The star of WPL 2024

Plying her trade for Royal Challengers Bengaluru women in WPL 2024, Sobhana turned out to be a crucial member of the team. The leggie prized out 12 wickets in the season in 10 innings at an average of 15.41, including a best of 5/22. Her spell in the final was influential in restricting the scoring and denting the Delhi Capitals innings further. She finished with figures of 2/14 in three overs.

On the back of her WPL performances, the Kerala-born found herself selected for the Bangladesh tour. She made her India debut in the fourth T20I of the series, exhibiting a strong performance in the match finishing with figures of 3/18 in three overs.

Here’s the playing XIs for the first ODI –

India Women XI – Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur, D Hemalatha, Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, S Asha, Renuka Singh

South Africa XI – Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Suné Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Annerie Dercksen, Nondumiso Shangase, Sinalo Jafta, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba