Sunday’s first of three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in Bengaluru saw India captain Harmanpreet Kaur win the toss and choose to bat.
Legspinner S Asha, who debuted on the international scene at age 33 in the T20 series against Bangladesh in May, was given her first assignment by the hosts. After making her ODI debut in 2021, left-arm spinner Radha Yadav, who rejoined the team in Bangladesh, will play in her second match in this format.
Apart from that, D Hemalatha, who last played for India in September 2022, and Jemimah Rodrigues, who was excluded from the Bangladesh series because of a back ache, were included. Not included was offspinner Shreyanka Patil.
Seafarer Annerie Dercksen made her debut for South Africa as well. Eliz-Mari Marx, Tumi Sekhukhune, and Nadine de Klerk were unable to attend owing to sickness. Experienced all-rounder Marizanne Kapp will only play as a batsman due to workload control following a slight back injury, captain Laura Wolvaardt announced during the toss.
Nondumiso Shangase, Nonkululeko Mlaba and Sune Luus will be their spinners.
India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, D Hemalatha, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Richa Ghosh (wk) Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, S Asha, Renuka Singh
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Suné Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Annerie Dercksen, Nondumiso Shangase, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba
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