Desk Correspondent , Durban - In the ongoing series between South Africa and India, South Africa defeated India by 6 wickets in the 1st T20 International took place in Durban last night. Chasing a target of 159 runs, the hosts South Africa achieved the target in 19.1 overs with a composed batting performance. Captain Laura Wolvaardt's led the team from the front by scoring smashing 51, while Annerie Dercksen played an unbeaten knock of 44 and took the 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

India earlier put up a competitive total of 157/7 in their 20 overs after being asked to bat first. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front with the solid innings of 47, giving India a stable platform in the middle overs. The contributions from the top order led the team to maintain decent run rate, but the team struggled to maintain the same in the death overs due to tight bowling from the South Africa attack. However, South Africa's disciplined bowling attack restricted India from crossing the 160- mark, which mark the crucial point in the chase.
The next series of the match will be played at the same venue on Sunday, while the third and fourth match of the series will be played in Johannesburg on the 22nd and 25th of this month. The final match of the series will take plan on 27th April at Willow Moore Park in Benoni.

Both India and South Africa is using this series as preparation for the global tournament, which is upcoming Women's T20 World Cup. As with this impressive win, South Africa has already taken a 1-0 lead in the series and will look to carry forward the momentum for the rest of the series while, India, on the other hand will now look to bounce back strongly in the upcoming matches, aiming to level the series.