SAW vs INDW, 1st T20I: India Women falter vs South Africa, sloppy show dents World Cup prep

India Women had their chances but failed to seize them as they slumped to a six-wicket defeat in the T20I series opener against South Africa on Friday, April 17, at Kingsmead in Durban. Poor fielding and ineffective batting in the death overs cost India the game, as their T20 World Cup preparations got off to a disappointing start.

After being asked to bat first, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana’s 46-run stand in five overs laid a strong platform for India in the powerplay. Shafali rode her luck after being dropped by Sune Luus and went on to score a quickfire 34 off 20 balls. She was the aggressor in the partnership, while Mandhana struck a six but struggled for fluency, managing a scratchy 13 before being dismissed by Ayobonga Khaka.

South Africa vs India, 1st Women’s T20I Updates | Scorecard

INDIA’S BATTING FALTER

However, once Tumi Sekhukhune got rid of Shafali, India lost a fair bit of momentum. Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues then steadied the innings, starting cautiously before shifting gears. The duo added 39 runs in three overs between the 11th and 13th, briefly putting India back on track, but the innings lost direction thereafter.

With Harmanpreet and Jemimah well set and eight wickets in hand, India looked on course for a total close to 180. Instead, they managed only 157 for 7, losing five wickets for just 39 runs in the last six overs.

Sekhukhune broke the 71-run stand by dismissing Jemimah for 36 off 29 balls. From there on, Harmanpreet remained unbeaten but fell short of a half-century despite batting for 14 overs. She scored 47 off 33 balls, including five fours and a six.

For the Proteas, Khaka was the standout bowler, finishing with impressive figures of 4-0-16-2.

WOLVAARDT STEADIES SOUTH AFRICA’S CHASE

India made a strong start after Shreyanka Patil castled Sune Luus with a delivery that spun just enough to shatter the stumps. Tazmin Brits struggled to get going, managing 10 off 13 balls before Shree Charani dismissed her, but not before she had been part of a useful 48-run stand with skipper Laura Wolvaardt, who looked in complete control.

Wolvaardt brought up her half-century off 36 balls and, along with Annerie Dercksen, ensured that South Africa reduced the target to 44 off 42 balls, almost run-a-ball territory. The pair added 52 runs for the third wicket, firmly putting the Proteas in command of the chase.

DROP CATCHES COST INDIA

Just when the game seemed to be slipping away from India, Shreyanka stepped up once again, removing the dangerous Wolvaardt, who had made 51 off 39 balls. From there, India managed to hang on and push the contest deep, but poor fielding proved costly in the end.

In the 18th over, Renuka Singh dropped a straightforward catch at short third man, denying Shreyanka her third wicket. Dercksen capitalised on the reprieve and went on to remain unbeaten, scoring 44 off 34 balls. In the penultimate over, Anushka Sharma also dropped Chloe Tryon in the deep.

It was Tryon who ultimately made India pay. With six runs needed off the final ball, she smashed Deepti Sharma over cow corner for a six, sealing the win for South Africa.

India will need to go back to the drawing board when they face the Proteas again on Sunday, April 19, at the same venue in Durban.

– Ends