India Women vs South Africa Women, 3rd T20I Highlights:
India delivered a comprehensive performance to decisively defeat South Africa by 10 wickets in the third women’s T20I on Tuesday. After choosing to field first, Pooja Vastrakar and Radha Yadav dominated the bowling attack, sharing seven wickets as South Africa was restricted to just 84 in 17.1 overs. Shafali Varma and Smriti Mandhana effortlessly met the modest target, amassing 88 runs without the loss of any wickets in just 10.5 overs to tie the series at 1-1. Pooja, with impressive figures of 4/13, and Radha, with 3/6, anchored India’s disciplined bowling performance. Tazmin Brits led the scoring for South Africa with 20 from 23 balls, supported by Anneke Bosch with 17 and Marizanne Kapp with 10. Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, and Deepti Sharma also contributed with a wicket each.
Toss –
India wins the toss and elects to bowl.
TEAMS LINE-UP:
South Africa:
Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Anneke Bosch, Annerie Dercksen, Eliz-mari Marx, Sinalo Jafta (w), Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba
India:
Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Uma Chetry (w), S Sajana, Pooja Vastrakar, Shreyanka Patil, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav
SOUTH AFRICA
Powerplay: SA off to a solid start but faces setbacks
SA: 39/2 (RR: 6.50; 7x4s, 0x6s)
Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits initially propelled the innings with multiple boundaries. Despite this strong start, India managed to dismiss key players Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp early. Brits, alongside Anneke Bosch, then steadied the innings.
Middle overs: Vastrakar pierces through SA’s lineup
SA: 41/5 (RR: 3.67; 3x4s, 0x6s)
After a promising build-up by Bosch and Brits, South Africa’s progress was abruptly halted. Vastrakar, having earlier dismissed Kapp, returned to take the wickets of Bosch and Nadine de Klerk, significantly disrupting the middle order.
Death Overs: Radha Yadav Decimates Opposition Tail
SA: 4/3 in 2.1 overs (no boundaries or sixes)
Following a damaging spell from Vastrakar, South Africa’s recovery efforts faltered greatly. Radha Yadav secured the wicket of Annerie Dickinson LBW, soon followed by Sinola Jafta and Mlaba losing their wickets in failed aggressive plays. Vastrakar then wrapped up the South African innings in the 18th over, catching Eliz-mari Marx off-guard with an outside edge while she tried to execute a forward push.
INDIA
Powerplay: India’s Commanding Start
IND: 40/0 (Run Rate: 6.67; 7x4s, no sixes)
Mandhana rapidly scored by driving Ayabonga Khaka for several boundaries in the very first over. Shafali, after a cautious start, unleashed powerful pull shots against Marx, securing two more boundaries in the fifth over. India’s aggression during this phase saw them nearly halving the target before the field restrictions were even lifted.
Middle Overs: Mandhana’s Half-Century Clinches the Match
48 for no loss in 4.5 overs (5x4s, 2x6s)
India’s openers consistently found the boundary, and despite a dropped catch by Laura Wolvaardt at extra cover failing to dismiss Shafali, India barely gave away any chances. Mandhana capitalized on a de Klerk full toss in the 11th over, sending the ball soaring over the fine leg fence for a fifty, also sealing the match with 55 balls remaining.
Brief Scores:
South Africa 84 in 17.1 overs (Tazmin Brits 20, Anne Bosch 17; Pooja Vastrakar 4-13, Radha Yadav 3-6) succumbed to India who scored 88 for no loss in 10.5 overs (Smriti Mandhana 54\, Shafali Verma 27\), losing by 10 wickets.