Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], March 9 (ANI): Jhulan Goswami's four-wicket haul and Smriti Mandhana's unbeaten 80-run knock helped India defeat South Africa by nine wickets in the second ODI of the five-match series on Tuesday here at the Ekana Cricket Stadium.

With this win, the hosts have now levelled the five-match series 1-1. Both teams will now lock horns in the third ODI on Friday at the same ground.

Chasing 158, India batter Smriti Mandhana smashed two sixes off the first two balls she faced and this gave the hosts early momentum. However, the Proteas stormed right back as Shabnim Ismail clean bowled Jemimah Rodrigues (9) in the fifth over of the innings.

Punam Raut then joined Smriti in the middle and the duo did not let the momentum drop for the hosts. Both batters put on an unbeaten stand of 138 runs as the hosts gained a victory by nine wickets with 128 balls to spare. Giving Smriti company, Punam remained unbeaten on 62.

Earlier, Jhulan's four-wicket haul helped India bundle out South Africa for just 157. Asked to bat first, South Africa got off to a bad start as match-winners from the first ODI, Lizelle Lee (4) and Laura Wolvaardt (9) were sent back to the pavilion by the fifth over, reducing the visitors to 20/2.

Lee was dismissed by Jhulan Goswami while Wolvaardt was sent back to the pavilion by Mansi Joshi. Skipper Sune Luus and Lara Goodall then came together at the crease and both batters formed a 60-run stand to revive the Proteas innings.

But as soon as Proteas innings started to gain normalcy, Manasi Joshi dismissed Luus (36) in the 21st over. Soon after Rajeshwari Gayakwad sent Mignon du Preez (11) back to the pavilion, reducing Proteas to 99/4 in the 26th over.

Jhulan and Harmanpreet Kaur got the big scalps of Marizanne Kapp (10) and Goodall (49) and this put Proteas on the backfoot at 130/6 in the 34th over and the hosts were now looking to end the visitors' innings in a jiffy.

Proteas lower-order was not able to provide much resistance and in the end, the side was bowled out for 157 inside 41 overs. Mansi Joshi returned with two wickets while Gayakwad scalped three wickets.

Brief Scores: South Africa Women 157 (Lara Goodall 49; Jhulan Goswami 4-42); India 160/1 (Smriti Mandhana 80, Punam Raut 62, Shabnim Ismail 1-46). (ANI)