Smriti Mandhana and Asha Sobhana Shine in India vs South Africa women match

India’s women cricket team started their ODI series of India vs South Africa women match on a high note with a commanding win in Bengaluru.

The first match of the series saw exceptional performances from Smriti Mandhana and Asha Sobhana, leading India to a 143-run victory.

Mandhana’s brilliant century and Sobhana’s impressive debut bowling spell were the highlights of the game.

India’s Batting Struggles and Recovery

India won the toss and chose to bat first. However, the decision seemed questionable early on as the team quickly found themselves in trouble.

The pitch offered variable bounce and turn, making life difficult for the top-order batters. Shafali Verma was the first to go, scoring only 7 runs.

She was followed by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who managed just 10 runs, and Jemimah Rodrigues, who added 17 runs before being dismissed.

At 99 for 5, India was in a precarious position. The team desperately needed someone to step up and stabilize the innings.

This is when Smriti Mandhana took charge. Her innings were a masterclass in handling pressure and adapting to challenging conditions.

Mandhana played a pivotal role, first by partnering with Deepti Sharma. Together, they added 81 crucial runs for the sixth wicket.

This partnership was instrumental in pulling India out of trouble and setting a platform for a competitive total.

Mandhana’s calmness and composure were evident as she navigated through the South African bowling attack, selecting her shots wisely and maintaining a steady run flow.

Smriti Mandhana’s Master Class

Smriti Mandhana’s innings of 117 off 127 balls was nothing short of spectacular. Her ability to adapt her game to the situation was the key to India’s recovery.

She showcased an array of shots, both aggressive and defensive, depending on the need of the hour.

Despite the early collapse, Mandhana remained unfazed and built her innings patiently.

One of the standout aspects of Mandhana’s innings was her shot selection. She was particularly strong on the leg side, hitting seven fours and a six in that region.

She also used the crease effectively to play her pull and cut shots, which helped her manufacture runs even when the bowlers were maintaining a tight line.

Her partnership with Deepti Sharma was crucial as they rotated the strike well and kept the scoreboard ticking.

Even when she was battling cramps, Mandhana did not lose her focus. Instead of slowing down, she found ways to accelerate the scoring, ensuring India reached a competitive total.

Her determination and resilience were inspiring, and her century was a testament to her class and skill.

South Africa’s Chase and India’s Bowling Dominance

In India vs South Africa ODI women macth chasing a target of 266, South Africa needed a solid start. However, India’s bowlers had other plans.

Renuka Thakur gave India the perfect start by removing the dangerous Laura Wolvaardt in the very first over for just four runs. This early breakthrough set the tone for India’s bowling performance.

Pooja Vastrakar joined the attack and dismissed Anneke Bosch in the sixth over. South Africa was quickly reduced to 33 for 3, with Tazmin Brits also back in the pavilion.

The early wickets put immense pressure on the South African batters, and they struggled to build any substantial partnerships.

India’s spinners then took over and dominated the middle overs. Deepti Sharma was particularly effective, finishing with figures of 2 for 10 in her six overs.

She bowled with great control and variation, making it difficult for the South African batters to score freely. Her wickets included key players, further denting South Africa’s chase.

Asha Sobhana’s Impact

Asha Sobhana, making her ODI debut at the age of 33, was the star of the show. She became India’s oldest debutant in this format and proved that age is just a number.

Her performance was nothing short of sensational, as she picked up four wickets for just 21 runs in her 8.4 overs.

Sobhana’s introduction into the attack was a turning point in the game. She showed great control and maturity, delivering crucial overs under pressure.

Her first spell was economical, and in her second spell, she made the big breakthroughs that India needed.

In the 19th over of the India vs South Africa women match, Sobhana deceived Marizanne Kapp with a well-flighted delivery that induced an aerial shot, leading to an easy catch at cover by Harmanpreet Kaur.

This wicket was crucial as Kapp was looking settled and could have been a game-changer for South Africa.

Sobhana’s next over saw a mix-up between Annerie Dercksen and Sune Luus, resulting in Dercksen’s run-out. At 75 for 5, South Africa was almost out of the game.

Sobhana continued to bowl with precision, picking up two more wickets and sealing India’s comprehensive victory.

Her debut performance was a perfect blend of skill, control, and intelligence, making her an exciting prospect for Indian cricket.

India’s Tactical Changes and Adjustments

India made some strategic changes to their batting order for this India vs South Africa women match. D Hemalatha and Jemimah Rodrigues returned to the playing XI, with Rodrigues coming back from a back injury.

The team management decided to experiment with the batting order to find the right balance.

In the last ODI series against Australia, Richa Ghosh was promoted to No. 3 to take advantage of her aggressive style. However, in this game, Hemalatha was slotted at No. 3.

She could not make a significant impact, scoring just 12 runs off 16 balls. Despite this, the move showed India’s intent to find flexibility in their batting lineup.

Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur batted at No. 4 and No. 5 respectively. While Rodrigues contributed 17 runs, Harmanpreet added 10. Richa Ghosh was moved down to the lower-middle order at No. 6, where she managed only 3 runs.

These changes indicate that India is still trying to figure out the best combination for their batting order.

Despite the early collapse, team India’s middle and lower-order batters showed resilience and adaptability.

Mandhana’s partnerships with Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar were crucial in stabilizing the innings and setting a competitive total.

The Finishing Lines

India’s 143-run victory over South Africa in the first India vs South Africa ODI women was a comprehensive team effort. Smriti Mandhana’s brilliant century and Asha Sobhana’s outstanding debut with the ball were the standout performances.

Mandhana’s ability to anchor the innings under pressure and Sobhana’s knack for picking up crucial wickets were instrumental in India’s win.

This victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and sets a positive tone for the upcoming India vs South Africa women match.

The team will look to build on this performance and continue their winning momentum. With players like Mandhana and Sobhana stepping up, India’s future in women’s cricket looks bright.

The next matches will be crucial for both teams, as South Africa will aim to bounce back and level the series, while India will look to clinch the series with another strong performance.

The first ODI showcased the talent and depth of the Indian squad, and fans can expect more exciting cricket in the remaining matches.