Mithali Raj, Poonam Raut Star In India's Quadrangular Series Win

India women defeated South Africa by eight wickets in the final of the Quadrangular Series thanks to an unbeaten 127-stand by Poonam Raut and Mithali Raj in Potchefstroom on Sunday. Jhulan Goswami played a starring role taking three wickets to help India dismiss South Africa for 156 in 40.2 overs. Then it was the turn of Raut and Raj to deliver with the bat. Raut (70 off 92) and Raj (62 off 79) took their team to a comfortable win in 33 overs after a jittery start to the chase. This win was a sweet revenge of sorts for India as they had lost to South Africa women in the league stage of the tournament. The other teams in the tournament were Zimbabwe and Ireland.

Captain Raj not only guided the team to a resounding win but also became the first Indian captain to lead the side in 100 ODIs.

RECORD: @M_Raj03 becomes first captain to lead India Women in 100 ODIs. India are bowling first in the final of Women's Quadrangular Series. pic.twitter.com/dXcQhuoQyp

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) May 21, 2017

The tournament also turned out to be good preparation for India ahead of the World Cup, which begins in the UK next month.

Both Raut and Raj displayed top form throughout the tournament. Raut had scored an unbeaten 109 against Ireland while Raj came to the final after scoring two half-centuries.

India win the Women's Quad Series! Unbeaten fifties from Mithali Raj and Poonam Raut help them chase 156 for a 8 wicket victory! #SAvInd pic.twitter.com/J5PPCR54je

— ICC (@ICC) May 21, 2017

Chasing a modest target, India lost opener Deepti Sharma and Mona Meshram cheaply before Raut and Raj completed the job in a clinical fashion.

Brief scores: South Africa 156 all out in 40.2 overs (Luus 55; Goswami 3/22). India 160/2 in 33 overs (Poonam Raut 70 not out, Mithali Raj 62 not out).

(With PTI inputs)