This is Sportstar’s match report of the first T20 game between India Women and South Africa Women at Chepauk in Chennai on Friday.
In this edition of Sportstar, we present to you the coverage for the South Africa women’s tour of India 2024 edition where the first T20I will be played between Indian women cricket team and South African women cricket team.
India Women: 177 / 4 (20 overs)
South Africa Women: 189 / 4 (20 overs)
South Africa win by 12 runs
To view the full scorecard, visit this link.
Match Report
IND-W vs SA-W First T20I: Brits, Kapp lead South Africa Women to victory
Nonkululeko Mlaba bowled a tight final over that kept Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur in check thus securing a twelve-run triumph for South Africans against Indians at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Friday.
Key Moments
SA beats IND by 12 runs
South Africa won by twelve runs leading three-match T20 series one-nil.
IND 177/4 in 20overs
Harmanpreet gets out on last delivery by stumping after hitting a four. She had made thirty five off twenty nine balls.
Jemimah and Harmanpreet fought hard but India fell short by twelve runs.
IND 173/3 in 19overs
49 needed from remaining two overs. Jemimah hit two boundaries and then six as she brought up her fifty with an audacious stroke play.
IND 151/3 in 18overs
47 required from eighteen balls now. Harmanpreet hits de Klerk for a boundary as they take eight runs.
IND 143/3 in 17overs
Tryon bowls out. Jemimah and Harmanpreet each hit boundaries, keeping the chase alive.
IND 131/3 in 16overs
Khaka was able to bowl very tight but still Harmanpreet can find a boundary.
IND 125/3 in 15overs
Marx returns. Jemimah hits three boundaries, but Mlaba’s fielding saves a crucial run.
IND 110/3 in 14overs
Mlaba into the attack. Jemimah scores a boundary off a rare misfield.
IND 103/3 in 13overs
de Klerk returns. Harmanpreet manages a solitary boundary on that tight over bowled by de Klerk.
IND 99/3 in 12 overs
Tryon back into the attack. Jemimah sweeps one for a boundary
IND90/3in11 overs Accordingly Hemalatha is bowled by de Klerk for14(17).Jemima partners with Harmanpreet Sarkar.
IND87/2in10 overs Tryon’s second over.Sudha Mandhana edges one to keeper and she is out at46(30).
IND86/1in9 overs Mlaba’s second over.Ishan Kishen hits a boundary; however catch falls short of the fielder
IND74 /1in8overs Annerie Dercksen bowls.Mandhana hits a four
IND66 /1in7over. Mlaba’s over sees Hemalatha getting another four runs
5 IND61 /1 IN6 OVERS. Khaka into the attack . Shafali Verma is caught behind off Ngidi after18(14)
4 IND54 /0 IN 5 OVERS Marx continues.Mandhana reaches fifty with a boundary and a six
3 IND43 /0 IN 4 OVERS De Klerk’s over sees Mandhana hitting three boundaries.
2 IND28 /0 IN 3 OVERS
Marx into the attack. Mandhana and Verma take ten runs from the over.
1 IND18 /0 IN 2OVERS. Tryon into the attack. Mithali Raj hits two fours.
1 IND8 /0 IN 1OVER. Khaka bowls to Shafali who hits a four.
SA-W innings
SA189/4 in20 overs Vastrakar bowls full length on off stump, Tryon goes for twelve(8), Brits scores eighty one(56) before falling on the last ball.
SA 183/2 in 19 overs
Asha’s over sees six runs.
SA 177/2 in 18 overs
Deepti bowls her last over. Brits hits a four, a six and another four.
SA 159/2 in 17 overs
Radha Yadav bowls. Kapp is caught on the boundary for 57 (33). Tryon hits two consecutive sixes.
SA 145/1 in 16 overs
Vastrakar returns to bowl the next over after drinks. Brits brings up her fifty off just thirty-five balls. Kapp also gets to her half-century.
SA 131/1 in 15 overs
Asha Shobana comes into the attack from the other end. Kapp strikes two boundaries.
SA 118/1 in 14 overs
Deepti returns back into the attack after her first wicket maiden. Four singles come from it.
SA 113/1 in 13 overs
Renuka goes past her run up mark with a strained smile on her face. Kapp ends the over by hitting it for a six and four.
SA101/1in12overs
Radha Yadavcomesaround.South Africa captainDanesjaBritshitsananotherboundary
SA92/1in11overs
AsaShobanadisguising herself as an Indian spinner.Kappsendsitforabeautifulhitforsixandfour
SA78/1in10overs
Deepti Sharma continues.Wherever there’s a ball being dispatched to or struck along these lines, that place is likely to be Brit’s location
SA67/1in9overs
Renukafacesherlastoverofthegame.Britsstrikescleanlyoverthebowlerforaboundary
10-0
SA59/1in8overs
RadhaYadavhasonceagaincompetedherover,thesecondwicketoftheworldxcteamisawolvaardtoutfor33(22),andkapphasjusthit2boundaries
SA50/0in7overs
Asha Shobana would come over from the start. Brits hits one to the boundary.
SA44/0in6overs
Deepti bowls an over of her own and Wolvaardt responds with a six to take the score to 44 for no loss in 6 overs.
SA32/0in5overs
Radha Yadav has reached his first bowling milestone and now he waits for Brits & Wolvaardt singles after four overs as two dot balls go by.
SA24/0in4overs
Vastrakar continues.Meanwhile,BritsandWolvaardscoredsingleson4thovertoo
SA22/0in3overs
Renuka’s fourth delivery is lofted high into the sky by Wolvaardt; it goes over the line! Six and two boundaries!
2-6
SA6/0in2overs
After theseconddelivery,bowlerVastrakaralsohasasingletohisnameafterbeingcapturedbytheskipperandsladoffthebatbyBrits
SA5/0 in 1 over.
First ball, Wonger was hit on its side by a good shot from Wolvaardt.
How to watch IND-W vs SA-W First T20I match live on TV in India?
On the Jio Cinema app and website, you can stream the game live or catch up on it later.
Setting the Scene:
The historical M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai was abuzz as it geared up to host its first Women’s limited-overs bilateral game in 17 years. A pulsating T20I showdown awaited between India and South Africa with both teams looking forward to leaving an impression in the series opener.
Pre-Match Insights
It was a mixture of anticipation and contemplation before this match. For instance, Jemimah Rodrigues, one of India’s middle-order mainstays showed delight about playing at a packed Chepauk. The captain Laura Wolvaardt of South Africa said that it would be an important test for her team before their World Cup T20 competition. Notably, Chloe Tryon who is a dynamic all-around player has been brought back by Proteas following her injury layoff.
Toss and Team Selections
India won the toss and elected to bowl first with hopes of restricting South Africa within manageable limits while chasing their score down later. Both sides had their best elevens on display with India going ahead with the same winning combination from their last ODI win.
South Africa’s Batting Masterclass
South Africa made no bones about setting themselves apart through batting prowess from bat one. Openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits did not waste any time but went after bowlers throughout peppering boundaries here and there. Wolvaardt was sent packing by Renuka Singh Thakur giving a break through for Indians though Brits kept up her assault well supported by experienced Marizanne Kapp.
Brits and Kapp’s Spectacular Show
In no time Brits as well as Kapp put together a strong partnership that was bringing runs at a very high rate. Brits struck an amazing half-century while Kapp played alongside her with a composed and graceful fifty. This meant that they were not only hitting but also forcing the Indian bowlers to run around like headless chickens.
A Moment of Adversity
There was a brief halt in the match when Tazmin Brits got injured and had to be removed from the field. The Indian team also suffered a setback when Richa Ghosh suffered concussion and her place was taken by S. Sajana.
South Africa’s Formidable Total
Despite losing few wickets in the late overs, South Africa finished their innings with 189/4 on board. This massive score underlined India’s batting prowess as it consisted of scores 81 by Brits and 57 by Kapp which represented South Africa’s highest total ever against India in t20 international matches.
India’s Chase Begins
India started their chase of this target with calmness due to solid opening stand between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana. However, the required run rate continued to go high that made life difficult for them as batsmen. South African Ayabonga Khaka sent back Shafali making way for Jemimah Rodrigues.
Rodrigues and Mandhana’s Valiant Stand
But unfortunately South Africa disciplined bowling did not allow Mandhana or Rodrigues to pick up the scoring pace significantly during their respective partnerships. As she got out after making 46 runs off Chloe Tryon’s balls, Mandhana showed us how beautiful batting can be as she went about her business delicately shouldering responsibilities higher up the Indian order.She more than anyone else has battled hard keeping hope against all odds alive make it possible for India to finally win this game after putting it into perspective.The mantle shifted towards Rodrigues who remained unbeaten careful an aggressive unbeaten innings of 41 runs and her captain.
A Thrilling Climax
To boost the scoring rate, Rodrigues and Harmanpreet struck some lovely boundaries and took quick singles. She made 50 of them in style thus showing how maturely she batted today even as the evidence shows that she is not getting carried away by emotions. Nonetheless, the chase was still a steep one such that pressure mounted with every passing ball.
The Triumphant End of South Africa
However, in spite of the spirited fight from Rodrigues and Harmanpreet, India fell agonizingly short by 12 runs. Nonkululeko Mlaba, a left-arm spinner, bowled an important last over that successfully kept Indian batters under control. The outstanding fielding shown by South Africa contributed to their victory.
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Key Highlights
- South Africa’s batsmen led by brilliant Brits and Kapp dominated the match setting a foundation for their triumph.
- India chased commendably but eventually buckled under the weight of mounting run rate.
- Jemimah Rodrigues was fantastic for India as she notched a well-deserved half-century with her bat.
- South African fielding was superb and played a decisive role in ensuring that they won.
- The game was engaging exhibition of growing competitiveness in women’s cricket.