June 16th 2024.
In a thrilling first women's ODI match between India and South Africa, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana delivered a spectacular performance with a determined hundred, rescuing India from a shaky start and propelling them to a competitive total of 265 for eight. Mandhana, who has proven her mettle in the past with five ODI tons, joined forces with Deepti Sharma to add 81 runs for the sixth wicket, providing a much-needed boost to India's innings.
Things did not look promising for India after they elected to bat first and lost key wickets early on, including top-order batters like Shafali Verma, captain Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jemimah Rodrigues, who struggled to adapt to the slow pitch at Chinnaswamy. Mandhana, known for her flair and aggressive batting style, had to rein in her natural instincts to steer the team out of trouble.
Despite the pressure, Mandhana played a responsible and calculated innings, relying on precise shots and clever placements to accumulate runs. She was well-supported by Pooja Vastrakar, who helped her add 58 runs for the seventh wicket. Together, they managed to stabilize India's innings and steer them towards a competitive total.
Mandhana's innings was a display of her versatility and adaptability as a player. She expertly mixed up her shots, using delicate nudges and quick pulls to keep the scoreboard ticking. Her swivel pull off debutant pacer Anne Dercksen and a confident shimmy down the track to deposit off-spinner Nondumiso Shangase over mid-on were a testament to her elegance and skill.
Deepti also played a crucial role in India's recovery, playing a counter-punching innings and taking calculated risks to accumulate runs. She particularly targeted Shangase, sweeping her for three boundaries. However, a delivery with low bounce from pacer Ayabonga Khaka proved to be her undoing as she dragged it onto her stumps.
Meanwhile, Mandhana continued to impress, reaching 99 from 93 balls with a beautifully timed six off pacer Masabata Klaas over mid-on. The crowd at Chinnaswamy, especially the local fans rooting for their Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain, were on their feet as she reached her hundred in 116 balls. Mandhana soaked in the cheers from the dressing room and the adoring crowd, who were captivated by her brilliant performance.
Unfortunately, her innings came to an end when she was dismissed by Klaas, but she had already done her job in guiding India to a competitive total. It was a thrilling match that showcased the talent and determination of both teams, and we can't wait to see what the rest of the series has in store.
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