India managed to salvage a victory in the T20I series between India Women and South Africa Women. The T20I series was being played at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. South Africa women had already sealed the series by winning the first two matches of three three-match T20I series. Yet, they received a tough fight in the last T20I against India women. Before the T20I series, SA women had defeated India 4-1 in a five-match ODI series.
The visitors managed to score only 112 runs in the 20 overs. Gayekwad was the pick of the bowlers for India. She picked up three wickets and only gave away nine runs in her four overs. She got good support from Reddy, Sharma and Yadav. Captain Sune Luus was the highest run scorer for South Africa women with 28 runs. South Africa women kept losing wickets at regular intervals and thus making it difficult for themselves to score freely.
After losing the ODI series 4-1 and also losing the first two T20Is, the impetus was on India to salvage at least one win in the series. Indian women came out to bat with the intent to win the match and also make a statement.
Shafali Verma and Smriti Madhana piled on 96 runs for the first wicket. This made life very easy for India. India chased down the score of 113 in just 11 overs. Shafali Verma hit five 6s.
Ravi Ashwin was delighted to see the India women perform so well.
India won the match, but lost the series. Nonetheless, India woman would like to improve in various departments, especially in bowling.