The group stage is all but done, with today’s double header rounding off the table and a win for India guaranteeing them a last four spot.
India won the toss in crucial circumstances, and opted to bat first against the Proteas. It’s win or bust for India, while SA are in search of regaining a bit of lost momentum from the last couple of games.
Shafali Verma was dominating the Proteas seamers early on, and Smriti Mandhana was slowly getting into the groove, too. The Indian opening duo were making merry, as Verma returned to form with a superlative half-century.
However, a poor miscommunication between both batters brought about an unfortunate run-out, giving SA the first breakthrough after 15 overs without much luck.
One wicket brought another, as an attempted sweep from Yastika Bhatia off Chloe Tryon’s left arm spin cannoned onto her stumps. However, SA were kept under control once again as skipper Mithali Raj arrived at the scene. She may have had a rather sedate start, but she was the perfect foil alongside the hard-hitting Mandhana.
India regularly got boundaries in the middle overs, but the 80-run stand finally reached an end when Tryon took a diving catch at mid-off to send back Mandhana for 71.
Mithali reached a half century in the 37th over, and Harmanpreet Kaur was just getting set to deliver a swift finish towards the end. However, Masabata Klaas returned to dismiss Mithali, and the wickets of Pooja Vastrakar and Richa Ghosh stifled India’s late push for a potential 300. Kaur scored a couple more handy boundaries en route to a useful 48, taking India to a respectable 274 at halftime.
Klaas and Ismail were the stars for SA. Ismail recovered from a forgettable first spell and bowled tightly at the death, while Klaas marked her return from injury with consistent lines and lengths throughout.
275 will be plenty to chase, and there’s no doubt about that. Is it a bit beyond reach for the Proteas, or will they be up to the task and score their 5th win of the league phase? Be sure to stay in the loop for the chase.
IND 274/7 in 50 overs (Mandhana 71, Mithali 68, Verma 53 – Klaas 8-0-38-2, Ismail 10-1-42-2)
