India women had chances but failed to convert them and lost by six wickets in the T20I series opener against South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday, April 17. Poor fielding and ineffective batting in the death overs cost India the match, as their T20 World Cup preparations got off to a disappointing start.

After being asked to bat first, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana’s partnership of 46 runs in five overs set a strong platform for India in the powerplay. After being dropped by Sune Luus, Shafali held on to her luck and played a quickfire inning of 34 runs off 20 balls. She was aggressive in the partnership, while Mandhana hit sixes but struggled for flow and scored 13 runs before being dismissed by Ayobonga Khaka.

South Africa vs India, 1st Women’s T20I Update | Achievement:

India’s batting faltered

However, once Tumi Sekhukhune got rid of Shafali, India lost a lot of momentum. Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues then took the innings forward with a cautious start before changing gears. Both of them added 39 runs in three overs between the 11th and 13th overs, due to which India came back on track for some time, but after that the direction of the innings went astray.

Harmanpreet and Jemimah were well set and with eight wickets in hand, India were heading towards a total near 180. Instead, they could only manage 157 runs for 7 wickets, losing five wickets for just 39 runs in the last six overs.

Sekhukhune broke the 71-run partnership by dismissing Jemima for 36 runs in 29 balls. From there, Harmanpreet remained unbeaten but missed the half-century despite batting for 14 overs. He scored 47 runs in 33 balls, which included five fours and a six.

For the Proteas, Khaka was the standout bowler, finishing with impressive figures of 4-0-16-2.

Wolvaardt stabilizes South Africa’s chase

India got off to a strong start when Shreyanka Patil dismissed Sune Luus on a stump-breaking spin ball. Tazmin Britts struggled to get going, scoring 10 runs from 13 balls before Sri Charani dismissed her, but not before she was part of a useful 48-run partnership with captain Laura Wolvaardt, who looked in complete control.

Wolvaardt brought up his half-century off 36 balls and, along with Anne Dirksen, ensured that South Africa reduced the target to 44 runs off 42 balls, almost a ball less than the field. The pair added 52 runs for the third wicket and firmly handed over the command of chasing the target to the Proteas.

Dropping the catch is the price for India

Just when it seemed the game was slipping away from India, Shreyanka once again stepped up and removed the dangerous Wolvaardt, who scored 51 off 39 balls. From there, India managed to hold on and take the contest forward, but poor fielding proved costly in the end.

In the 18th over, Renuka Singh dropped a direct catch at short third man, due to which Shreyanka could not get the third wicket. Dirksen took advantage of the relief and remained unbeaten on 44 off 34 balls. Anushka Sharma also dropped Chloe Tryon in the deep in the last over.

It was Trianon who ultimately paid off India. When six runs were needed off the last ball, she sealed South Africa’s victory by hitting a six off Deepti Sharma at cow corner.

India will have to go back to the drawing board to face the Proteas again at the same venue in Durban on Sunday, April 19.

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