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In a thrilling encounter at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India clinched the ODI series against South Africa with a narrow four-run victory, thanks to stellar centuries from Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur. The win gave India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
India set an imposing target of 325 for three, powered by Mandhana's 136 off 120 balls (18x4, 2x6) and Harmanpreet's unbeaten 103 off 88 balls (9x4, 3x6). This marked their seventh and sixth one-day centuries respectively.
Despite a valiant fightback from the Proteas, highlighted by Marizanne Kapp's 114 off 94 balls (11x4, 3x6) and Laura Wolvaardt's 135 not out off 135 balls (12x4, 3x6), South Africa fell agonizingly short, ending their innings at 321 for six.
The Chinnaswamy pitch provided a more consistent playing surface compared to the previous match, requiring Indian bowlers to maintain precise line and length. They did just that, ensuring South Africa's batters could not gain the upper hand, taking wickets at regular intervals.
Key Moments of the Match:
1. Early Breakthrough: Pacer Arundhati Reddy, replacing Renuka Singh, gave India a solid start by dismissing Tazmin Brits with a delivery that swung back in.
2. Mandhana's Magic: Smriti Mandhana provided a memorable moment by taking her maiden international wicket, catching Sune Luus behind the stumps.
3. Kapp and Wolvaardt Partnership: Kapp and Wolvaardt combined for a 184-run partnership off 170 balls for the fourth wicket, displaying excellent footwork and shot selection against the Indian spinners.
4. Kapp's Aggression: Kapp reached her fifty in 53 balls, marked by powerful pulls off Pooja Vastrakar.
5. Wolvaardt's Steadiness: Wolvaardt supported Kapp solidly, bringing up her fifty in 69 balls.
6. Decisive Wicket: Kapp's aggressive approach ended when she was caught by Vastrakar off Deepti Sharma, breaking the threatening partnership.
7. Final Push: Wolvaardt and Nadine de Klerk added 69 runs off 41 balls for the fifth wicket, but it wasn't enough as Vastrakar defended 11 runs in the last over.
Indian Batting Highlights:
· Mandhana and Harmanpreet's partnership of 171 runs for the third wicket lifted India to a formidable total.
· Despite initial struggles, Mandhana and Dayalan Hemalatha consolidated with a 62-run stand for the second wicket.
· The arrival of Harmanpreet saw the run rate soar, with Mandhana hammering Shangase for three consecutive fours.
South African Bowling Efforts:
· Ayabonga Khaka and Masabata Klaas exploited early overcast conditions, finding bounce and movement.
· Khaka's economical start with two consecutive maidens kept Mandhana and Shafali Verma in check initially.
· Klaas eventually dismissed Hemalatha, who had looked dangerous with two sixes off Shangase.
