In the first women’s T20I, South Africa triumphed over India by 12 runs after losing the Test and ODI series.
In the opening women’s T20I in Chennai on Friday, South Africa defeated India by 12 runs, marking their first victory of the ongoing tour. Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp both scored impressive fifties, which were well-complemented by a strong bowling effort. Sent in to bat, South Africa produced a strong total of 189 for four thanks to their outstanding batting performance, which was greatly aided by India’s subpar fielding. The innings was led by the Brits (81 off 56 balls) and Kapp (57 off 33 balls).
Shafali Verma (18 off 14 balls) and Smriti Mandhana (46 off 30 balls) put on a 32-ball 56-run stand before the former fell to Ayabonga Khaka in the sixth over, marking a promising start for the Indian openers.
After that, Mandhana was joined in the middle by Dayalan Hemalatha (14 off 17 balls), with whom he shared a 31-run partnership.
Nevertheless, the visitors were able to maintain pressure and secured an A wicket before drinks.
The score was 87 for three after Mandhana first went off against Chloe Tryon in the tenth over, and then Hemalatha, who was bowled out by Nadine de Klerk in the next over.
Jemimah Rodrigues and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur then teamed together and went on the attack as the needed run-rate increased.
The two reduced the equation to 47 off 18 balls after reaching their 50-run stand in 38 deliveries.
Continuing her rampage, Jemimah reached her 11th Twenty20 International half-century in 29 deliveries, with 21 required off the final six balls.
However, Nonkululeko Mlaba maintained her composure to give up just eight runs in the last over, so it was not to be.
While South Africa had four different wicket-takers, de Klerk’s economy played a vital role in the triumph.In addition to the injury concerns, Richa Ghosh was replaced by S Sajana as the replacement for Ghosh, who went face-first to the ground while trying to make a catch. Additionally, Brits were stretchered out of the ground suffering from severe cramps. Earlier in the match, both the Brits and Kapp helped South Africa register their highest score in T20Is against India. The Brits, with an innings of 56 balls that included 10 fours and three sixes, and captain Laura Wolvaardt (33) were cautious at first, managing 50 in 43 balls. However, the Indians missed a few opportunities, as both Wolvaardt and Kapp were removed in the fourth and tenth over, and then South Africa was dropped in the sixteenth over.
Kapp and the Brits were able to execute the sweep shots with efficiency since the pitch did not bounce.
Radha and Pooja each took two wickets for India, while the former was reasonably economical.
