Gaekwad, Shafali help India women beat SA
LUCKNOW: Finally, India managed to tick all the boxes, be it in bowling, fielding or batting.
The spinners led by Rajeshwari Gaekwad, who took a career-best 3/9, dominated South Africa batting. Then, Shafali Verma struck a scintillating half-century to help India notch up a consolation ninewicket win in the third and final match of the T20 series they had already conceded to South Africa women.
India had lost the five-match ODI series 1-4 to South Africa before this and the win was a welcome change.
Nothing much was left for Sune Luus-led South Africa to do after being restricted to 112/7. The 17-year-old Verma, who got elevated to top spot in the world T20 batters list on Tuesday, tore apart Proteas bowling with a quick fire 30-ball 60 with seven fours and five glorious sixes. Skipper Smriti Mandhana hit an unbeaten 48 off 28 balls after that to seal the match.
The South Africa bowlers came in for severe punishment from Shafali as she produced a wide array of shots during her audacious hitting show. Nondumiso Shangase ended the young Indian opener’s knock by having her caught by Ismail in the deep in the ninth over. Mandhana, who was like a spectator when Shafali went on the rampage, showed her class by producing the final flourish, taking India to 114 for 1 in 11 overs.
Earlier, Gayakwad (3/9) was the star performer as she bowled with great control and guile to flummox the South African batters while fellow slow bowlers Radha Yadav (1/24) and Deepti Sharma (1/22) chipped in with impressive displays. Skipper Sune Luus was the top-scorer for South Africa with 28 while Lara Goodall finished with 25 not out from 17 balls after they were asked to bat.
Brief scores: South Africa 112/7 (Sune Luus 28, Lara Goodall 25*, Rajeshwari Gayakwad 3/9) lost to India 114/1 in 11 overs (Shafali Verma 60, Smriti Mandhana 48*).