The hosts won the second ODI by 9 wickets and will be looking to carry forward that momentum
A rejuvenated India Women will take on South Africa Women in the third ODI of the ongoing five-match series, in Lucknow on Thursday. After losing the first match of the series by eight wickets, the hosts made a strong comeback in the second match as they registered a comprehensive nine-wicket win over the visitors.
A dismal batting performance and a near-toothless bowling effort had been the main reasons for India’s defeat in the first match. However, they came up with an improved effort on both aspects as they took the field in the second ODI.
The Indian bowlers set the tone for their victory, pushing South Africa on the back foot by sending both openers – Laura Wolvaardt (9) and Lizelle Lee (4) – back to the pavilion early. They maintained the pressure through the innings, bowling with discipline, sticking to an ideal line and length, and bowled out South Africa for a paltry 147. Jhulan Goswami registered 4-42, while Rajeshwari Gayakwad claimed three wickets. Apart from Sune Luus and Laura Goodall, none of the other South African batters could occupy the crease for long.
Despite losing Jemimah Rodrigues early, India chased down the target in just 28.4 overs with nine wickets in hand. Smriti Mandhana (80) and Punam Raut (69) made the chase look like a cakewalk. They will carry that momentum in the third ODI.
South Africa, on the other hand, have a lot of thinking to do. In the first ODI, their bowling had looked top notch and batting intimidating. However, that changed drastically in the second match as they succumbed to the pressure created by the Indian bowlers. The bowlers didn’t look as threatening as the first match either. That leaves them to start everything from scratch once again as the series is equally poised at 1-1 now.
Conditions: Like the last two games, the conditions are going to offer assistance to the pacers in the morning. The team batting first will have to weather the storm initially if they want to stand a chance of posting a competitive total on the board.
Probable Playing XI
India Women: Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, Punam Raut, Mithali Raj (c), Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Sushma Verma (wk), Poonam Yadav, Jhulan Goswami, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Mansi Joshi
South Africa Women: Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvaardt, Sune Luus (c), Lara Goodall, Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Trisha Chetty (wk), Ayabonga Khaka, Shabnim Ismail, Nonkululeko Mlaba
Key Players
Smriti Mandhana (India): Mandhana scored an attacking 80 not out in the last match. Her innings helped in setting the tone for India’s chase, which eventually helped them in drawing the series level.
Marizanne Kapp (South Africa): Arguably the most important player for South Africa, not only does Kapp keep things in control with the ball in the middle-overs, but her batting gives South Africa some much needed solidarity in the middle-order as well.