Vadodora: Skipper Mithali Raj and Punam Raut smashed impressive fifties to guide the Indian women's team to a series-clinching five-wicket win over South Africa in the second ODI here yesterday. India first restricted South Africa to a competitive 247-6 after electing to field and then returned to overhaul the target with two overs to spare and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Pacer Shikha Pandey (2-38), left-arm spinner Ekta Bist (2-45) and leg-spinner Poonam Yadav (2-42) returned with two wickets each to keep the visitors to a below-par score. Chasing 248 to win, the Indian women lost openers Priya Punia (20) and Jemimah Rodrigues (18) early to slip to 66 for two in 12.5 overs. However, Punam (65 off 92 balls) and Mithali (66 off 82 balls) resurrected the chase by sharing a 129-run partnership for the third wicket.