India Women beat South Africa Women by 10 wickets, level series 1-1

In the third women’s T20I played on Tuesday, India outperformed South Africa by 10 wickets thanks to an outstanding all-around performance. Pooja Vastrakar and Radha Yadav chose to bowl, and between them they claimed seven wickets as India bowled South Africa out for 84 runs in 17.1 overs.

Then, to tie the series 1-1, Shafali Varma (27) and Smriti Mandhana (54) surpassed the mark, hitting 88 for no loss in 10.5 overs. Pooja (4/13) and Radha (3/6) were outstanding performances as India made a focused effort.

Tazmim Brits led the South Africans in scoring with a 23-ball 20, followed by Anneke Bosch with 17 and Marizanne Kapp with 10. Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Deepti Sharma, and Pooja also claimed wickets in addition to Radha and Pooja.

After India decided to field, Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp were out early, attempting to create strokes in the powerplay. However, Tazmin Brits, who had just scored two fifties in a row, seemed to have settled down and picked up the tempo when she hit two boundaries off Shreyanka Patil in the sixth over. However, in her attempt to accelerate, she was caught by Harmapreet Kaur’s outstanding catch at mid-off, giving Deepti Sharma a wicket. In 7.4 overs, South Africa was at 45 for 3.

South Africa folded for 84 in the 18th over after losing 7 for 23. Radha Yadav’s double-wicket maiden in the 17th over, which brought the end prematurely, saw her finish with 3 for 6 in her three overs.

In order to establish herself, Mandana took Ayabonga Khaka for two fours in the opening over. However, she was unlucky to be defeated by a fantastic delivery from Kapp that struck the seam and nipped away to beat the outside edge.

Perhaps there was the only ambiguity in a knock when Mandhana asserted her control over spin and speed. She scored two sixes and eight fours in a delivery that included a six that brought up her fifty and India’s triumph.

On the opposite side, Shafali shown hints of her most dominant form as she ruthlessly dragged the seamen in front of square, performing her signature shovels and slaps without any opposition. Nothing could have been simpler.

Pooja Vastrakar, the Player of the Match as well as the Player of the Series: “It was an opportunity for me and whatever I practiced in the nets – bowling wicket-to-wicket – I executed. Bowling hard lengths help me. As an opportunity and a responsibility, the team felt I should be given the new ball. And I wanted to pick up early wickets and give team a good start. Such lengths will be effective in Sri Lanka. Want to do similarly well in Asia Cup. Tonight we tried to bowl to our strengths and give our best. All bowlers did well.”

Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa captain: “Disappointing loss. Not the way we wanted to end the series. It was stopping when we were batting. Overall, taking a lot of learnings. First two games, lot of positives. We went too hard too early today, could have assessed better. Could have taken a time upfront. Talked about going too hard but should have taken our time. A couple of us are off to the Hundred. The others have camp at home. Thank you for having us.”

Harmanpreet Kaur, India captain: “We spoke about things we need to improve specially when we are playing T20 cricket. Proud of the way we bowled and fielded. That is something we spoke in our meetings. Going forward, there might be situations where have to come hard and keep believing. Everyone had the belief we had it in us, we were positive. Played as a team and did well as a team. Smriti really had a good series, in the Test Shafali came up with a good approach. We talk about getting chances and doing well. Everyone looked positive. The self-belief was there to change the game. Want to do well in Asia Cup. We keep things simple. This team has a lot of talent. Muzumdar Sir is very cool, he keeps things simple. Fielding coach is working hard, Avi is also calm. This is the best support staff I have ever worked with. The selectors and BCCI are also supporting us. We want to do the right things.”

Brief Score:

South Africa Women: 84 all out in 17.1 overs (Tazmim Brits 20; Pooja Vastrakar 4/13).

India women: 88 for 0 in 10.5 overs (Smriti Mandhana 54 not out; Chloe Tryon 0/8).