- News
- Sports News
- Cricket News
- IND vs SA Highlights, 5th T20I: South Africa Women beat India Women by 23 runs
IND vs SA Highlights, 5th T20I: South Africa Women beat India Women by 23 runs
Wolvaardt also reflected on the team’s recent progress, particularly in death bowling and powerplay execution, while admitting that fielding remains an area of concern. With Bosch and Nadine de Klerk returning to the side, South Africa aim to correct mistakes from the previous game and finish the series with authority.
India, meanwhile, would have preferred to chase but are not deterred, according to captain Harmanpreet Kaur. She stressed the importance of sticking to clear plans that worked well in the last match, where India showed marked improvement. With the series already decided, India are using this game as an opportunity to play with freedom and intent. The inclusion of Arundhati provides additional options, as the visitors look to end the tour on a positive note and carry confidence forward.
Right then, we are all set for the action to begin. The two teams stride out in the middle and line up for their respective national anthems. It will be India's first, followed by the national anthem of South Africa. We are now done with the pre-match formalities. The umpires and the players are out in the middle. South Africa Women take their respective field positions. Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus open up for the South Africa Women. Kranti Gaud has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...
PITCH REPORT - Victor Mpitsang and Nono Pongolo are pitchside. They say that the pitch had hard-rolled grass, making it fast, bouncy, and excellent for batting without offering much movement to the bowlers. They say that the ground is known for high scores and has large side boundaries. Because it is hard to guess a safe total to defend, Pongolo believed the winning captain would choose to bowl first. Mpitsang agreed that chasing a target would be the best plan for the game.
Shafali Verma is in for a chat - Shafali Verma says that they have had a good partnership in the last game, did well with the ball, which gave them confidence, and they are ready to win this game. Adds that she was trying to get more runs in the Powerplay by hitting it over the circle. Shafali shares that the journey has been with a lot of ups and downs but she is trying to give her best. Ends by saying that they have lost the series, but they will try and win this game and finish on a positive note.
A quick chat with Eliz-Mari Marx - Eliz-Mari Marx says that she is privileged to be back in the side and tries to bring positivity to the team. Adds that going back home and reassessing her bowling plans helped her a lot and it came off well in the last game. Feels that she wants to be consistent and impact the game. On her ball-striking ability, she says that she's put a lot of effort into the mental side of the game, which has then helped the physical side of her game as well.
With South Africa celebrating Freedom Day, marking the nation’s first democratic elections in 1994, the final game carries added significance, blending cricket with a day of unity and history, making the occasion even more special.
South Africa Women (Playing XI) - Laura Wolvaardt (C), Sune Luus, Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch (In for Tumi Sekhukhune), Chloe Tryon, Nadine De Klerk (In for Kayla Reyneke), Sinalo Jafta (WK), Eliz-Mari Marx, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.
India Women (Playing XI) - Shafali Verma, Anushka Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), Arundhati Reddy (In for Kashvee Gautam), Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur.
The skipper of India Women - Harmanpreet Kaur says that they wanted to bowl first, and it's good they got the opportunity to do that today. Adds that the last game was a good one for them and they executed their plans well and will look to have the same clarity today as well. On any changes in the team, Kaur says that the likes of Smriti and Kashvee are resting, and Arundhati Reddy is back in the team.
The skipper of South Africa Women - Laura Wolvaardt says that it doesn't happen often that she has won five tosses in a row. Adds that they have been bowling first all series, so wants to see how they do batting first here. Mentions that the wicket tends to be on the slower side and it was a quick turnaround, they have assessed the conditions quickly. Laura says that she is happy with how they have bounced back from a disappointing New Zealand series. Informs that they have made a couple of changes with Anneke Bosch and Nadine De Klerk coming back in the side. Ends by saying that they want to finish the series on a high note.
India Women Squad: Shafali Verma, Anushka Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh(w), Kashvee Gautam, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur, Smriti Mandhana, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Uma Chetry
She highlighted South Africa’s improved death bowling and powerplay batting as key positives, while also acknowledging inconsistencies in fielding. With two changes in the XI, including the return of Bosch and Nadine de Klerk, the hosts will look to bounce back from their previous outing and close the series on a high.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur revealed that her side would have preferred to bowl first but remains focused on executing plans with clarity after a strong showing in the last match. With the series already out of reach, India approach the contest with a nothing-to-lose mindset. The return of Arundhati adds balance to the lineup as they look to build on their improved performance and challenge the hosts despite the dead-rubber nature of the game.
Match Statistics
Venue
Willowmoore Park, Benoni
