INDIA WOMEN SEAL DOUBLE TRIUMPH
AFTER ODI WIN, TAKE T20I SERIES 31 AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA
CAPETOWN: The 50-over World Cup finalists India women proved their class and rising stature once again as they scored a dominant 54-run victory over hosts South Africa in the fifth and final T20I to wrap up the series 3-1.
Prior to this, they had won the one-day series, the ICC World Cup qualification round, 2-1.
The two series wins no doubt enhances their reputation and more importantly shows that the players have come of age. Saturday’s game wasn’t just about their batting and bowling, but also about their fielding. After a below par performances in the field during the previous two T20s, they held everything on Saturday to surprise one.
The catch taken by Jemimah Rodrigues at the boundary rope to get rid of Marizanne Kapp was brilliant. It looked like the ball would sail for six but Rodrigues, who had starred with the bat earlier, plucked it and maintained her balance.
The difference between the two teams was in the Powerplay overs. While the Indians made 39, losing just one wicket in the first six overs, they restricted South Africa to just 22 while getting rid of three of their main batters --skipper Dane Van Niekerk, Sune Luus and Lizelle Lee.
In fact, it was the performance of their bowlers in the Powerplay that helped India take stranglehold of the match.
While Pooja Vastrakar kept it tight, Rumeli Dhar and Shikha cashed in, picking wickets as the Proteas women tried to break the shackles.
Once they had picked three early wickets, they had the opposition on the mat. Only big-hitters Kapp and Chloe Tryon could come up with some resistance.
Earlier, Mithali Raj’s half-century and her 98-run partnership with young batter Jemimah Rodrigues helped India notch up 166/4 in their 20 overs.