June 20th 2024.
The city of Bengaluru was buzzing with excitement as India emerged victorious in a thrilling cricket match against South Africa Women. With a nail-biting finish, India secured a 2-0 series win with one match to spare. The match was a high-scoring affair, with a record-breaking four centuries and a whopping total of 646 runs.
India won the toss and chose to bat first on a pitch that showed visible cracks and a patch of grass. It was a challenging start for the Indian openers, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, as the South African new-ball duo of Ayabonga Khaka and Masabata Klaas bowled brilliantly, keeping India's scoring rate in check. Despite Shafali showing promise, she was dismissed for 18 runs off 38 balls, leaving India at a tentative 47 for 1 after 15 overs.
However, it was Smriti Mandhana's resilience and class that turned the tide for India. Partnering with D. Hemalatha, who contributed a steady 24 runs, Mandhana gradually found her rhythm. The turning point came with the arrival of Harmanpreet Kaur, who played an aggressive yet calculated innings, providing the perfect balance to Mandhana's grace. Together, they built a formidable 171-run partnership off just 136 balls, propelling India to a commanding total.
Mandhana's journey to her seventh ODI century was a masterclass in adaptability. She started off slowly, reminiscent of Test cricket, but then accelerated brilliantly, reaching her hundred in 103 balls. Her stroke-play was a sight to behold, with her precise targeting of gaps and her movement around the crease leaving the South African bowlers bewildered. This milestone was significant as Mandhana became the first Indian woman to score back-to-back centuries in ODIs.
Harmanpreet, on the other hand, displayed raw power and impeccable timing, predominantly scoring on the leg side. Her knock was filled with powerful shots, including nine fours and three sixes, culminating in a spectacular century off just 88 deliveries - her first in almost two years. An untimely missed stumping by stand-in wicketkeeper Meike de Ridder allowed Harmanpreet to reach her milestone and add valuable runs in the final over alongside Richa Ghosh, who contributed a quickfire 25 off 13 balls. India's innings concluded at an imposing 325 for 3.
South Africa's chase began on a shaky note, losing three wickets for 67 runs. However, Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp had other plans as they built a resilient 184-run partnership, bringing their team back into contention. Wolvaardt, displaying her exquisite technique, kept South Africa's hopes alive, but it was Kapp's dismissal that turned the match into a nail-biting finish.
Wolvaardt played a brilliant knock of 135 runs off as many deliveries, while Kapp scored a stunning 114 off just 94 balls. With 11 runs required off the final over, Pooja Vastrakar was handed the ball. After conceding five runs off the first two deliveries, Vastrakar made a stunning comeback, taking two crucial wickets in the next two balls. With five runs needed off the final delivery, Wolvaardt, who had been stranded at the non-striker's end, finally faced the last ball but was undone by Vastrakar's clever slower delivery. India emerged victorious by a mere four runs in a thrilling finish.
The final scores were India Women scoring 325 runs for the loss of three wickets in 50 overs, while South Africa Women managed to score 321 runs for the loss of six wickets in their 50 overs. It was a truly memorable match, with both teams displaying exceptional skills and determination, making it a treat for the fans.
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