New Delhi. On the basis of Smriti Mandhana’s brilliant batting, India clean-swept South Africa 3-0 in the 3-match ODI series. In the third and last ODI played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India defeated South Africa by 6 wickets. With this, Harmanpreet Kaur and Company ended the series with a win. Smriti Mandhana dominated this series. Although Mandhana missed her century by 10 runs in the third ODI, she played an important role in India’s victory by scoring two consecutive centuries in the first two ODIs.
Smriti Mandhana missed scoring a century for the third consecutive match. He played an inning of 90 runs in 83 balls with the help of 11 fours. After restricting South Africa to 215 runs for 8 wickets, India registered an easy victory by scoring 220 runs for 4 wickets in 40.4 overs. Mandhana, who played innings of 117 and 136 runs in the last two matches, contributed to the team’s victory by making three brilliant partnerships in this match. She made a partnership of 61 runs in 71 balls with Shefali Verma (25) for the first wicket and 62 runs in 66 balls with Priya Punia (28) for the second wicket.
Harmanpreet scored 42 runs
Mandhana made a partnership of 48 runs in 47 balls for the third wicket with captain Harmanpreet Kaur (42). Harmanpreet hit two fours in her innings of 48 balls. Despite an aggressive half-century innings and a brilliant start by captain Laura Wolvaardt (61), South Africa failed to score a big score. Apart from hitting seven fours in his 57-ball innings, Wolwart made a partnership of 102 runs in 119 balls for the first wicket with Taizmin Britts (38). Brits hit two fours and a six in his 66-ball innings.
Mandhana missed her third consecutive century by 10 runs
Chasing the target, Mandhana and Shefali made a cautious start, Mandhana, who was in great rhythm, opened her hands by hitting three fours against Nadine de Klerk in the sixth over. In the next over, Shefali hit a four against Ayobonga Khaka. This pair was becoming dangerous but Tumi Sekhkunene gave the team its first success by dismissing Shefali in the 12th over. Mandhana completed her half-century by hitting a four against Nondumiso Shengase in the 18th over. Punia hit the first six of the Indian innings after hitting a four against this bowler. She returned to the pavilion after giving an easy catch on Khaka’s ball. Punia hit three fours and one six in his 40-ball innings. Mandhana was rapidly moving towards her third consecutive century by hitting some brilliant fours but the sweep shot against Nonkululeko Mlaba played into the hands of Khaka at fine leg.
Richa Ghosh won with a six
Harmanpreet and Jemimah Rodrigues (19 not out) were about to complete the formalities of the victory. Then the Indian captain was run out. Richa Ghosh gave victory to the team by hitting a six.
Tags: India Women, smriti mandhana, South Africa
FIRST PUBLISHED: June 23, 2024, 21:05 IST
