Bengaluru, June 22 : India have successfully navigated the challenges posed by South Africa so far, aiming to seal a 3-0 victory as they head into the third and final ODI here on Sunday.
India currently leads the series 2-0, overcoming significant hurdles along the way. In the first match, they recovered from a precarious position of 99 for five to post a total of over 260. The Indian bowlers then defended this target effectively.
The second game saw the Indian bowlers tested by centuries from Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp on a benign pitch. Despite the onslaught, they maintained their composure to secure a narrow win.
A standout performer across both matches has been Smriti Mandhana, who scored 117 and 136, becoming the first Indian woman batter to achieve back-to-back centuries in ODIs and equalling Mithali Raj’s record of seven ODI hundreds.
With the ODI series concluding before the one-off Test starting on June 28 in Chennai, Vice-Captain Mandhana will be eager to continue her prolific form. The return to form of Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored 103 in the second ODI, is also a positive sign for the Indian team.
However, the management will be keen for opener Shafali Verma to regain form, as she has struggled with low scores in the recent matches.
Already holding an unassailable lead in the series, India may opt to field fringe players like bowlers Shreyanka Patil, Saika Ishaque, and batter Priya Punia.
On the other hand, South Africa will be motivated to win the final ODI to earn crucial ICC Women’s ODI Championship points, vital for their qualification to the 2023 50-over World Cup. A victory would also boost their confidence ahead of the Test and upcoming T20I series.
Teams:
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Uma Chetry (WK), Dayalan Hemalatha, Radha Yadav, Asha Sobhana, Shreyanka Patil, Saika Ishaque, Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Priya Punia.
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Eliz-Mari Marz, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukune, Nondumiso Shangase, Delmi Tucker.
The match is scheduled to start at 1:30 PM.
