Bengaluru, Nov 30 (IANS): India's women cricket team snatched a 16-run win against South Africa in a one-off Twenty20 match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here Sunday.

India made 140 for five with Smriti Mandhana 52 (42b, 5x4) being the top scorer.

In reply, South Africa’s lower order collapsed in a heap. Their innings ended on 130 for nine with leg-spinner Poonam Yadav (3 for 18) and left-arm spinner Ekta Bisht (2 for 20) doing the bulk of the damage.

Batting first, the Indians progressed at a fair clip despite losing wickets at regular intervals.

Opener and skipper Mithali Raj (40, 31b, 5x4, 2x6) provided the early momentum while Smriti Mandhana held the innings together, adding 63 runs for the fourth wicket with Shikha Pandey (23, 18b, 1x4, 1x6) in 7.2 overs.

The South African reply began strongly as they reached 62 for one in the 11th over.

But thereafter, it was all downhill as they lost wickets in quick succession despite fighting knocks by Dane Van Niekerk (46, 47b, 5x4) and Marizanne Kapp (33, 16b, 2x4, 3x6).

Brief scores:
India women: 146 for five in 20 overs (Mithali Raj 40, Smriti Mandhana 52, Shikha Pandey 23, Sounette Loubser 2 for 29) beat South Africa women: 130 for nine in 20 overs (Dane Van Niekerk 46, Marizanne Kapp 33, Ekta Bisht 2 for 20, Poonam Yadav 3 for 18) by 16 runs.