INDIA W VS SOUTH AFRICA W, 3RD ODI,BENGALURU
After registering two consecutive centuries, Smriti Mandhana shone once again with an impressive 90, spearheading India’s clean sweep in the ODI series against South Africa with a six-wicket in the final match at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Arundhati Reddy played a crucial role with her inspiring bowling spell, helping to halt South Africa’s promising start and confining them to 215/8. Taking advantage of the opponent’s lax bowling under the floodlights, Mandhana’s exquisite stroke play across the field significantly contributed to India securing the win comfortably with 9.2 overs to spare.
South Africa, already down 0-2, had the opportunity to secure two vital ICC Women’s ODI Championship points on Sunday (June 23). However, their innings faltered due to miscommunication and unfavorable returns, despite their openers initially frustrating the Indian bowlers with a century stand in the first 20 overs.
Laura Wolvaardt, the South African captain, initially played cautiously but soon accelerated with three consecutive boundaries off Pooja Vastrakar, showcasing a wide array of shots—an approach capped off with a fourth boundary through backward square leg making it a costly 17-run final over in the powerplay, where South Africa totaled 46 runs for no loss.
While Wolvaardt dominated the bowlers, her opening partner Tazmin Brits played a supportive role but eventually took charge, smashing a six off Radha Yadav. She concluded the over by enabling Wolvaardt to achieve her 32nd ODI fifty and sixth against India in just 45 balls. Their partnership surpassed a hundred shortly after, but it ended when Arundhati took a stunning catch off an uppish drive by Wolvaardt. Brits was run-out for 38 following a severe mix-up with Marizanne Kapp.
Arundhati continued to impress, taking another spectacular catch to dismiss Anneke Bosch. Meanwhile, Shreyanka Patil, back in the playing eleven, successfully adjusted her bowling angle and dismissed Marizanne Kapp with a smart return catch.
Just as South Africa seemed to steady their innings, they lost four wickets for 18 runs, including Sune Luus to a clean bowl from Vastrakar post the drinks break. Despite a brief fightback from Nondumiso Shangase and Nadine de Klerk, another miscommunication led to de Klerk being run out as Richa Ghosh broke the stumps following a throw from Deepti. Deepti soon removed Nonkululeko Mlaba and de Klerk in quick succession, finishing her spell with excellent figures of 2 for 27.
Despite a drizzle delaying the start of India’s chase, openers Shafali Verma and Mandhana quickly accumulated runs, with Verma hitting elegant drives and Mandhana scoring a trio of fours off de Klerk’s over. Although Verma’s start ended prematurely, Mandhana continued her excellent form, reaching her half-century in 49 balls. Priya Punia, also making a comeback, displayed aggressive batting but like Verma, was dismissed while attempting a cut shot.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur supported Mandhana effectively, contributing a quick 19 in a 48-run partnership before getting run out. With just 45 runs needed from over 19 overs, Harmanpreet and Jemimah Rodrigues maintained the chase’s momentum. Even after Harmanpreet’s dismissal, Richa Ghosh ensured victory for India with a powerful six, clinching the win.
Final scores:
South Africa 215/8 in 50 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 61, Tazmin Brits 38; Deepti Sharma 2-27, Arundhati Reddy 2-35) fell to India 220/4 in 40.4 overs (Smriti Mandhana 90, Harmanpreet Kaur 42; Ayabonga Khaka 1-38), with India triumphing by 6 wickets.
