Punam Raut and Harmanpreet Kaur's batting efforts went in vain as the Indian women's team suffered a seven-wicket defeat against South Africa in the fourth ODI to concede the five-match series in Lucknow on Sunday. Asked to bat, Raut continued her rich vein of form with an unbeaten 104 while Harmanpreet smashed a blazing half-century to power India to a 266 for four in 50 overs. In reply, opener Lizelle Lee (69), skipper Laura Wolvaardt (53), Mignon du Preez (61) and Lara Goodall (59 not out) smashed half-centuries to guide South Africa home. The tourists scored 269 for three in 48.4 overs to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match. India missed the services of veteran seamer Jhulan Goswami as other bowlers leaked runs everywhere. Mansi Joshi (1/43), Rajeshwari Gayakwad (1/39), Harmanpreet Kaur (1/38) took one wicket apiece. The two sides will play the fifth and final ODI on Wednesday. Catch highlights here:
Brief Scores:
India Women: 266 for 4 in 50 overs (Punam Raut 104 not out, Harmanpreet Kaur 54; Tumi Sekhukhune 2/63)
South Africa Women: 269 for 3 in 48.4 overs (Lizelle Lee 69, Mignon du Preez 61, Lara Goodall 59; Mansi Joshi (1/43), Rajeshwari Gayakwad (1/39), Harmanpreet Kaur 1/38 )
Playing XIs
India: Priya Punia, Smriti Mandhana, Punam Raut, Mithali Raj (c), Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Sushma Verma (wk), Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Mansi Joshi.
South Africa: Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvaardt (c), Lara Goodall, Mignon du Preez, Trisha Chetty, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Nadine de Klerk, Shabnim Ismail, Tumi Sekhukhune, Anne Bosch,Nondumiso Shangase.
