Mumbai, Feb 12 Steered by an all-round show by skipper and pacer Jhulan Goswami, India 'A' lifted the inaugural Women's Challenger Trophy after they defeated India 'C' by three wickets in a closely fought encounter here today at the MCA grounds at the Bandra-Kurla Complex.

India 'C' won the toss and skipper Mithali Raj elected to bat and lost an early wicket in the form of Karuna Jain (4 runs) in the fourth over.

The other opener Jaya Sharma made a well compiled half century sending four hits to the fence. She along with Devika Palshikar consolidated the innings and added forty-nine runs for the fourth wicket after centurion from the last match, Mithali Raj (16 runs) didn't get going and was caught by Swaroopa Kadam of her own bowling.

With Jaya Sharma out for a steady 58 runs, Palshikar and Amita Sharma piled on 60 runs for the fifth wicket and were eyeing the 225-run mark but Jhulan Goswani brought India 'A' back in to the game by getting both Devika and Amita in consecutive deliveries in the 47th over to put the brakes on the scoring.

India 'C' managed to add only 20 runs before they were bundled out for 198 in the allotted 50 overs.

In reply, India 'A' were off to a flyer as Sulakshana Naik smacked five fours in her knock of 24 (16 balls) before being caught by wicket-keeper Karuna Jain of the bowling of Amita Sharma.

India 'A' scored runs in patches but lost wickets at regular intervals. Stylish Hemlata Kala (58 runs) kept one end going for the batting side and tailored small partnership in the middle order with Asha Rawat and Diana David. (Agencies)