India-W drown South Africa in high-scoring encounter to clinch tri-series final berth

The Indian women chronicled another thrilling win against the South African women in the ongoing tri-series, cementing their place in the final. It was a high-scoring affair at the Premadasa Stadium as both the teams dished out a rollicking masterclass with the bat.

Winning the toss, South Africa opted to bowl first and India found themselves in some early soup. Pratika Rawal (1) and Harleen Deol (4) were back to the pavilion in no time, reducing India to 18/2. Harmanpreet Kaur (28) did chime in with a crucial stand alongside a warring Smriti Mandhana (51) as India got to 50 before Annerie Dercksen could get the better of the Indian skipper.

Following the departure of Harmanpreet Kaur, it was Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues who steered the ship to safety and soon the duo hunkered down to business. Mandhana shifted gears while Jemimah kept her good company. After piling up an 88-run stand for the fourth wicket, Mandhana was sent back by Chloe Tryon.

An incoming Deepti Sharma didn’t back down from the immediate challenge and was quick to hit back. Sharma and Jemimah totted up another massive stand for the fifth wicket as they added 122 runs. Rodrigues got out for a stormy 123 from just 101 balls while Sharma continued the assault.

Richa Ghosh (20) came in, blazed the bowlers for another quickfire 20 and set up a platform for a final push from the Indian women. Deepti kept the Indian hopes high with a brilliant 93 but failed to register her ton after Nadine de Klerk would finally get the better of her. At the end of 50 overs, India had 337 in their bank.

The Indian women had an early breakthrough as Amanjot Kaur's bowling was too hot to handle for Lara Goodall (4). However, Tazmin Brits (26) and Miane Smit (39) steadied the South African ship before Annerie Dercksen dished out an impeccable knock of 81 runs.

Amanjot struck for the second time when she got rid of Brits while Deepti Sharma amped the heat up with the ball too as she saw the back of Smit. Alongside Dercksen, Nondumiso Shangase (36) and Sinalo Jafta (21) looked good, propelling South Africa to a decent platform for a grandstand chase. However, Pratika Rawal struck Shangase while N Charani removed Jafta.

The South African captain, Chloe Tryon joined forces with Dercksen and did provide hope to the Proteas but despite a brief resurgence, the Indian bowlers were ruthless in their pursuit of the final spot. Amanjot bagged a third to get hold of Dercksen while Deepti breached through the defences of Tryon. Nadine de Klerk’s unbeaten 22 helped South Africa to reach a decent 314 but that wasn’t enough for South Africa to sail through.

India booked their final berth with a 23-run win while Jemimah Rodrigues won the Player of the Match award for her clinical performance with the bat, smashing a brilliant century in the face of pressure.