India Women vs South Africa Women T20 2024: India Clinches Series-Leveling Victory with 10-Wicket Win
India Women vs South Africa Women T20 2024: India Clinches Series-Leveling Victory with 10-Wicket Win
In a thrilling finale to the 2024 women’s T20 series, the Indian women’s cricket team delivered a stellar performance, defeating South Africa by 10 wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday. The victory ensured the series ended in a draw, with both teams winning one match each, following the washout of the second T20 match on Sunday.
Match Highlights:
Toss and Bowling Brilliance: Indian T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and chose to bowl first. This decision proved fruitful as Indian bowlers dominated the South African batting lineup. Pooja Vastrakar emerged as the star bowler, taking four wickets for just 13 runs. Radha Yadav also delivered an exceptional performance, claiming three wickets for a mere six runs.
South African Struggles: South Africa struggled to build momentum, losing key wickets early in the innings. Captain Laura Wolvaardt (9) and veteran Marizanne Kapp (10) were dismissed during the powerplay, setting a difficult tone for the rest of the innings. Tazmin Brits managed to score 20 runs, the highest for the team, but South Africa was eventually bowled out for just 84 runs in 17.1 overs.
Indian Batting Dominance: Chasing a modest target of 85, Indian openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma displayed remarkable form. Mandhana led the charge with a commanding half-century, scoring 54* off 40 deliveries, including eight boundaries and two sixes. Verma supported her with a solid 27* off 25 balls. The duo’s unbeaten partnership ensured India reached the target in just 10.5 overs, securing a comprehensive 10-wicket victory.
Key Moments:
Pooja Vastrakar’s Spell: Vastrakar’s incisive bowling dismantled the South African batting order. Her figures of 4/13 were instrumental in restricting the opposition to a low score.
Radha Yadav’s Economy: Yadav’s economical spell, conceding only six runs in her three overs, including a maiden, added immense pressure on the South African batters.
Smriti Mandhana’s Batting: Mandhana’s aggressive and fluent innings not only ensured a quick chase but also marked her as the standout performer in the Indian batting lineup.
Match Summary:
South Africa Innings: 84 all out in 17.1 overs (Tazmin Brits 20; Pooja Vastrakar 4/13, Radha Yadav 3/6)
India Innings: 88/0 in 10.5 overs (Smriti Mandhana 54*, Shafali Verma 27*)
Conclusion:
This victory marked India’s biggest win against South Africa in T20Is, showcasing the team’s resilience and capability to bounce back. The Indian bowlers set the foundation for this triumph, and the openers sealed the deal with their unbeaten stand. As the series ended 1-1, fans were treated to a display of high-quality cricket, promising an exciting future for women’s cricket.
Reference
- India Women vs South Africa Women Live Score: 3rd T20I Updates - Hindustan Times
- India vs South Africa Women 3rd T20 2024 Match Result and Score - Olympics
- India vs South Africa Women 3rd T20I Live Score and Highlights - Sportstar
- India Women vs South Africa Women Full Scorecard - ABP Live
Check out the above links for more details