The South Africa Women collapsed in a low-scoring thriller as India fought back to complete a series whitewash, writes Naeemah Benjamin.
This came after they added the ODI trophy to their T20I series win too.
South Africa would feel disappointed with their performance with the bat. Chasing a mere 147 runs, they were in a good position to cross the line despite stumbling, but losing wickets at crucial times certainly didn’t help their cause and the Indian bowlers fought back well and never gave up to steer their team to victory.
There were starts but no one quite pushed on to build partnerships as a disappointed skipper at the post-match interview pointed out:
“We knew it wouldn’t be easy and we just didn’t get enough partnerships upfront,” said Luus.
“I think Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp have shown immense character. They showed we can fight till the end” Luus said
SA lost the toss and were put in to bowl. Despite the result, they had a dream start with the opening pair of Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp claiming the wickets of Priya Punia (0) and Jemimah Rodrigues (3) in their first overs to have India in trouble on 5/2 after the second over.
The match-winning duo from the second ODI were at the crease and started to rebuild their innings. They kept the scoreboard ticking over but the visitors kept things extremely tight and the pressure of dot balls mounted.
Punam Raut attempted a big shot off the bowling of Ayabonga Khaka and was out for 15 off 33 balls as India further slipped to 23/3 after 12 overs.
The runs were coming at a very slow pace for India and the batters were getting frustrated. Mithali Raj looked to go over the bowler’s end but sliced it straight to mid-off and had to go for 11 off 45 balls. India Women were 4 down for 34 in the 17th over.
Wickets kept tumbling, as Shabnim came back into the attack and dismissed Deepti Sharma for 7 off 18 balls with Lizelle Lee taking a good diving catch.
The skipper brought herself on and claimed the wicket of Taniya Bhatia who tried to sweep but misses for 6 off 25 balls.
After 30 overs, half the side were back in the dugout, 6 down for 71 runs.
Shikha Pandey and Harmanpreet Kaur got themselves in and got a move on. Their partnership of 49 was the highest and so crucial.
The former in particular looked in good nick. Kapp broke the partnership getting the latter for a well-played 38 off 76 balls before the former’s pleasant knock of 35 off 40 balls came to an end to give Tumi Sekhukhune her first wicket. They were 133/8 after 42 overs.
Khaka got her second to finish with figures of 2/33 when she removed Ekta Bisht for 6 and then Nondumiso Shangase picked up her first to round up a collectively great bowling effort.
India were 146 all out in 45.5 overs. Kapp and Ismail were the most economical bowlers picking up 3/20 and 2/18 respectively.
The visitors got off to a relatively good start as Lizelle Lee smashed a couple of boundaries and looked to continue but Mansi Joshi got a bit of extra bounce and Taniya Bhatia did the rest. She had to go for 13 off 18 balls.
SA were 17/1 in 4 overs.
Trisha Chetty’s time at the crease didn’t last long as she tried to go after Ekta Bisht but managed a thick outside edge to first slip and departed for 7 off 16 balls.
The Proteas Women were 2 down for 31 after 7 overs.
The batters were in no rush and kept the scoreboard ticking over at a decent pace.
India kept picking up wickets, Mignon du Preez was the next to fall as she danced down the track and sliced one straight to the bowler for 10 off 20 balls. SA were 50/3 after 13 overs.
The set batter Laura Wolvaardt was out to a half-hearted LBW appeal and she walked off extremely unhappy for 23 off 27 balls.
SA batters continued to fall after getting themselves in. No one quite pushed on and they were 4 down for 54 and in a bit of trouble.
Rajeshwari Gayakwad got it to spin a mile and picked up her second, bowling Lara Goodall for 6 off 11 balls and the collapse was in full swing now with SA 63/5 in the 18th over.
Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp steadied the ship. The 100 came up for SA after 28 overs and the deficit was under 50 now, but Ekta Bisht broke the 40-run stand dismissing the former for 24 off 54 balls.
SA lost their 6th wicket for 103 runs.
Marizanne kept things going before she was trapped LBW to Deepti Sharma and walked back disappointed for 29 off 43 balls. SA were 7 down for 117.
At 40 overs, SA needed 25 runs to win but Nondumiso Shangase who enjoyed her 10 (31) smashed one to a jumping Ekta Bisht who unintentionally popped it up to Mansi Joshi who grabbed it.
At 8 down for 137, SA would have hoped the tail could get the job done.
Mithali Raj brought on Harmanpreet Kaur despite the seamers having overs left and it worked. Ismail started to lose her patience and hit a Kaur delivery straight to deep mid-wicket for an 11 off 57 balls. The end was near at 138/9, with only 9 runs needed.
Another surprise from the Indian skipper. Jemimah Rodrigues came on to bowl and claimed her maiden wicket as Tumi Sekhukhune edged it to first slip.
They celebrated ecstaticly, understandably so. SA were all out for 140.
A brilliant fightback by India.
SA women ended the tour of India with only one win in the T20I series.
They played well in patches and will take this series as a massive learning curve.
