IND-W vs IRE-W 2025: Sayali Satghare, Pratika Rawal aid hosts to dominant win

The first ODI of the three-match series was the first time India Women were locking horns with Ireland Women in eight years. The latter won the toss and opted to bat first. Debutant pace-bowling all-rounder, Sayali Satghare, was creamed for three boundaries in a row in her first over by the Irish skipper.

Titas Sadhu got the first breakthrough for India after Sarah Forbes edged to slip. The final three overs of Satghare's first spell were miserly from her end, as Ireland finished the first powerplay with a score of 38 on the board. A double-wicket over by Priya Mishra set Ireland on the back foot. 

Skipper, Gaby Lewis, patiently built her innings from the other end. Despite the early wickets, she remained steadfast at the crease. A massive rebuild ensued for the fifth wicket, which somewhat brought the Irish back in the contest. Some loose bowling by the relatively inexperienced Indian outfit in addition to lapses on the field helped Ireland aim for a sizeable total to post.

The 117-run stand between Lewis and Leah Paul, who was looking set on 59, was broken courtesy poor running between the wickets. Lewis was dismissed eight runs shy of her maiden ODI ton. The final over of the innings was bowled by Satghare, who ended up with a three-wicket haul to her name. The Irish women finally ended up with 238.

Being set a target of 239, the hosts were off to a positive start. The opening batters ticked the scoreboard along at a brisk rate. Standby skipper, Smriti Mandhana, was the aggressor of the two batters. However, she departed on the final delivery of the first powerplay. The team hundred was brought up in 18 overs. 

Pratika Rawal saw two more wickets depart briefly after. A 22-run 24th over brought down the equation to 86 runs needed off 156 deliveries. Tejal Hasabnis registered her maiden half-century, while Rawal seemed to be in a hurry to kill the game. She perished for 89. Richa Ghosh secured the win with a boundary as the hosts took the lead going into the second game. Up next, the second game will be held on Sunday at the same venue, as the tourists will look to draw levels against the Indians.