Indian women register a thrilling six run win to whitewash South Africa

The Indian women registered a thrilling six run win in the third and final ODI played at Reliance Stadium, Vadodora on Monday. 

Indian captain Mithali Raj won the toss and decided to bat first. It was not an ideal start for the hosts as Priya Punia was dismissed in the very first over by Shabnim Ismail for a duck. 

Jemimah Rodrigues also departed early, which left Indian eves struggling. Punam Raut played some lovely strokes, but the Indian captain Mithali Raj struggled to time the ball. At the end of 10 overs, Indian eves were 23 for the loss of two wickets. 

Punam Raut tried to play a big shot and was bowled by Khaka for 15. Mithali Raj struggled to score runs which made life tough for the Indian batters. The Indian captain fell as she played a poor stroke and was caught by Ismail. 

The South African bowlers continued to strangle the Indian batters with tight line and length. Indian eves were reduced to 71 for 6. Harmanpreet Kaur and Shikha Pandey created pressure on the South African with positive stroke play. Pandey was the aggressive partner in the partnership. Mariaznne Kapp got the breakthrough for South Africa as she dismissed Kaur for 38. Pandey and Kaur added 49 runs for the seventh wicket. 

Shikha Pandey also played a vital knock, scoring 35 off 40 balls with 6 boundaries. The Indian eves could not play the full quota of 50 overs and were bowled out for 147 in 45.5 overs. Ismail took 2 for 18, Kapp 3 for 20, Khaka 2 for 33. Sekhukhune, Shangase and Luus took 1 wicket each. 

Chasing the target of 148 runs to win, Lizelle Lee played some lovely strokes against Mansi Joshi and Shikha Pandey. Joshi got the breakthrough for India as she dismissed the dangerous Lee for 13.

Wolvaardt continued from where she left off in the second ODI. Ekta Bisht did an excellent job for India as she dismissed Trisha Chetty to put South Africa on the back-foot. At the end of 10 overs, South Africa women were 39 for 2. 

Mignon du Preez tried to attack the Indian spinners but gave a return catch to Deepti Sharma. Rajeshwari Gayawkad dismissed Wolvaardt for 23 and gave the Indian team a chance to go for the win. Gayakwad then got the wicket of Goodall which made life tough for South African team. Kapp and Luus steadied the progress for South Africa taking singles and hitting occasional boundaries.

Kapp and Luus rotated the strike well before Ekta Bisht got the breakthrough, dismissing South African captain Luus for 24. Both batters added 40 runs for the 6th wicket. 

Kapp looked confident in her stroke play. Deepti Sharma dismissed the dangerous Kapp for 29. Ismail and Shangase kept the Indian spinners out. With 10 runs required, Ekta Bisht provided the breakthrough for India as she dismissed Shangase with a deflection catching going to Mansi Joshi. Kaur ended Ismail innings and helped Indian women inch closer to a famous win. 

Jemimah Rodrigues got the wicket of Sekhukhune to help Indian eves register a thrilling 6 run win. Indian women defended a modest total of 147 runs. 

Ekta Bisht was the pick of bowlers for India with 3 for 32, Deepti Sharma and Rajeshwari Gayakwad took two wickets each. Mansi Joshi, Harmanpreet Kaur and Rodrigues took a wicket each. 

Indian eves 146 in 45.5 overs ( Harmanpreet Kaur 38, Shikha Pandey 35, M Kapp 3/20) beat South African women 140 in 48 overs ( M Kapp 29, Luus 24, Ekta Bisht 3/32) by 6 runs.