Bengaluru, Aug 14 (PTI) Veteran Mithali Raj's run-a-ball 51 wasn't enough as India Blue lost to India Red by seven runs in a rain-affected in the opening encounter of the Women's T20 Challenger today.

India Blue scored a modest 100 for 8 in 20 overs and the Red team were 79 for 3 in 16.3 overs when play was stopped due to inclement weather. However Reds were declared winner as per VJD rule.

Batting first, Blue team had a batting collapse despite Mithali holding fort at one end with wickets falling like ninepins at the other end.

The Indian ODI captain hit seven boundaries and a six. The next highest score was 12 by VR Vanitha (12).

India international Deepti Sharma took 2 for 15 in four overs and then opened the batting to score 45 off 44 balls with six boundaries.

Brief Scores: India Blue 100/8 in 20 overs (Mithali Raj 51 off 51 balls, Deepti Sharma 2/15). India Red 79/3 in 16.3 ocers (Deepti Sharma 45 off 44 balls). India Red won by 7 runs via VJD method.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)