IND W VS IRE W 1ST ODI

Right then, that's all we have from this series opener. Ireland can take positives from their batting performance, but they will be hoping for more control from their bowlers going forward in the series. As for India, fielding has been an Achilles' heel, and they will want to address these lapses as each game becomes crucial leading into the World Cup. The two teams will meet again at the same venue on Sunday, January 12, for the 2nd ODI. The first ball will be bowled at 11 am IST (5.30 am GMT), but as always, you can join us in advance for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Pratika Rawal is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for her brilliance with the bat. She says that she is comfortable in this dressing room and is playing very freely. Adds that she enjoys from the non-striker’s end with Smriti Mandhana at the other end as she takes the pressure off her. Mentions that she was trying to keep it simple at the start and then carry out that momentum throughout the inning. Further says that Tejal finished very well. Tells that she is just doing what she is good at and doesn’t think much about the records and numbers. Concludes that she likes to play lofted shots when the ball is in the slot otherwise she just looks to find those singles to get off strike.

The captain of India Women, Smriti Mandhana, says that the bowlers did a really good job on a wicket that did not have much for them. Appreciates Pratika Rawal and Tejal Hasabnis for the way they batted. Shares that she is glad with the way the pacers executed the bouncers and the slower deliveries. Tells that having had Ireland at 56/4, they should have wrapped the innings around 180. With this being a World Cup year, she feels that every game holds equal importance and reckons that every member of the team should stick to the routines set.

Gaby Lewis, the skipper of Ireland Women says she is feeling much better now and mentions that there were a lot of positives to take from this game and they will look to put that in on the next game as well. States that it was a lot about adapting to the conditions and she is very pleased with the way her team performed and how the spinners and fielders put in the hard yards which sets them for the next two games.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Tejal Hasabnis is up for a quick chat after scoring her maiden ODI half-century. She says that she is feeling great and very happy that her half-century has contributed to the win for the team. Adds that she likes to chase the target because it helps her make small plans and play accordingly throughout the inning. Tells that there were a lot of nerves when she was on 49 where she missed a few deliveries. Concludes that the boundary she scored off the Free Hit was her favourite shot of the day because that gave her momentum.

Earlier, Ireland began positively after opting to bat but faltered to 56/4 following a double strike from Priya Mishra. Captain Gaby Lewis steadied the ship with a superb 92, supported by Leah Paul in a vital 117-run partnership. Fatigue eventually caught up with Lewis, but Arlene Kelly's late efforts pushed Ireland to a competitive 238. For India, Saima Thakor stood out with a disciplined spell, conceding just 30 runs from her 10 overs. Though wicketless, dropped catches deprived her of a bigger impact.

Both Deol and Rodrigues fell while trying to accelerate the chase, but all the pressure built by the Irish bowlers in the middle phase was wiped out by Laura Delany's lack of control. Her 14 legal deliveries went for 36 runs, and two above-waist full tosses led to her being taken out of the attack. Tejal Hasabnis and Pratika Rawal capitalized on that momentum, stitching a 116-run partnership to ensure there were no further hiccups in the chase.

A professional chase by the Women in Blue to take the lead in the series! Pratika Rawal led the charge, while others batted around her, helping India cruise to victory with ease. In their pursuit of 239, India got off to a bright start, with Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal quick to put away the bad balls. After Mandhana's dismissal, Ireland managed to contain the scoring, but with the head start India had in the first 10 overs, Harleen Deol and Rawal could afford to bide their time.

FOUR! Richa Ghosh finishes the game with a cracking shot! A bit too full, outside off, Richa frees her arms and slices it over cover for a boundary. India Women win the first ODI by 6 wickets!

On a length, around off, Tejal pulls it to deep square leg for one.

Full and outside off, Tejal Hasabnis drives it to mid on and looks for a single but is sent back.

FOUR! On top gear from the word go! Tossed right up, on middle, Richa slogs it over mid-wicket and gets a boundary. India Women need just 4 more runs now.

Richa Ghosh is in at number 6.

OUT! CAUGHT! An anti-climatic end to Pratika Rawal's exceptional knock but she has done it all for India Women to now be in touching distance of a win. Aimee Maguire flights it up and on middle, Rawal skips down a step and looks to go straight back over the bowler's head but gets it off the cue end of the bat. Hits it towards long off where Orla Prendergast keeps her eyes locked in at the ball and takes a sharp catch to her right just inches ahead of the boundary cushion.

OUT! CAUGHT! An anti-climatic end to Pratika Rawal's exceptional knock but she has done it all for India Women to now be in touching distance of a win. Aimee Maguire flights it up and on middle, Rawal skips down a step and looks to go straight back over the bowler's head but gets it off the cue end of the bat. Hits it towards long off where Orla Prendergast keeps her eyes locked in at the ball and takes a sharp catch to her right just inches ahead of the boundary cushion.

Pushed through quicker and fuller, at the pads, Pratika Rawal tries to tuck it across the line but misses.

SIX! Easy pickings and Rawal seems to be in a lot of hurry to wrap this game up. A juicy full toss, dipping in around middle, Rawal waits for it and clobbers it dead straight over the bowler's head for a biggie.