In the second ODI game against South Africa in Bengaluru, the India women’s cricket team secured a thrilling 4-run victory, thus clinching the series win.
Impressive centuries from Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, allowed India to post a formidable total of 325. South Africa put up a strong fight, with skipper Laura Wolvaardt scoring 135* and Marianne Kapp contributing a brilliant 114 off just 94 balls. However, their efforts fell just short, as they couldn’t secure the 5 runs needed for a win off the last ball.
Pooja Vastrakar’s sensational last over, which included two back-to-back dismissals, ensured India’s victory. Notably, Harmanpreet’s unbeaten 103* marked the fastest-ever century by an Indian batter in 50-over cricket, while Smriti’s 136 off 120 balls equalled Mithali Raj’s record for the most ODI hundreds for India.
India Women Playing XI: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Dayalan Hemalatha, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Asha Sobhana.
South Africa Women Playing XI: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Nondumiso Shangase, Mieke de Ridder (wk), Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka.
