Johannesburg, Apr 25 (PTI) India batters failed to build on their starts against a disciplined set of South African bowlers, posting a slightly below par 185 for five in the fourth women’s T20I here on Saturday.
After being sent in to bat, India started off on a shaky note, losing Shafali Verma to Eliz Marx while Anushka Sharma, who came in for rested Smriti Mandhana, fell for 23.
India were 47 for two at the end of the Power Play segment, and needed to move on without losing further damage.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (22) and Jemimah Rodrigues (43) did just that, adding 55 runs for the third wicket in little over six overs.
Rodrigues was impressive, in particular, while smashing spinner Nonkhu Mlaba for 24 runs in the 11th over through a sequence of runs which read 4, 2, 6, 6, 2, 4.
The two successive sixes straight over the bowler’s head were a treat to watch.
But just as India were gaining some momentum, Rodrigues, who was dropped on 18, failed to connect a sweep off off-spinner Kayla Reyneke, losing her stumps.
Harmanpreet too looked a million dollars while walloping a six off Marx and four off Chloe Tryon, but Reyneke found the Indian skipper’s outside edge, which was snaffled by Sinalo Jafta behind the wickets.
Deepti Sharma (36 not out, 26 balls) and Richa Ghosh (34 not out, 18 balls) added 65 runs for the sixth wicket but they could not always put their feet on the pedal and step on the gas.
But in the last five overs, the pair managed to score 56 runs to give their bowlers something to bowl to. PTI UNG PDS
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