South Africa Women have already taken an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match ODI series against India Women. India will now take field in the final ODI at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, to – as they often say – play for pride.
It is not that the Indians, especially their batters, have failed. In Punam Raut (253) they have had a standout batter. Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur have both scored at over a run a ball, Mithali Raj has got a fifty, and Deepti Sharma has chipped in with cameos. The only concern has been the form of Jemimah Rodrigues, who had to be dropped for the fourth ODI.
The problem has largely been bowling. This, despite the superlative performance from Jhulan Goswami (8 wickets at 12.50, economy 3.44). Goswami has bowled a probing line and length at brisk pace, often managing to get the odd once to bounce off a length. Unfortunately, the support cast has not stood up to the challenge. India’s inability to strike was evident in the fourth match, one that Goswami missed due to a hand injury.
India’s famed spinners – Poonam Yadav, Sharma, and Rajeshwari Gayakwad – have been economical without looking threatening. Radha Yadav, who finally made his ODI debut, did not leave an impact, but should be optimistic of another opportunity.
South Africa, as the scoreline suggests, have been the more rounded of the two sides. This, despite losing the services of both captain Dane van Niekerk and stand-in captain Sune Luus. Shabnim Ismail has carried her fabulous form from the Pakistan series here. As she has found the wickets, Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka have made scoring difficult.
Among batters, Lizelle Lee, currently in the form of her life, has scored 288 runs and has been dismissed only twice. Her hitting has been forceful and her stay at the crease chanceless, and seldom have the Indian bowlers managed to dominate her. With Laura Wolvaardt scoring two fifties at the top, Lara Goodall providing solidity, and Mignon du Preez batting at rapid pace, South Africa have seldom been under pressure while batting.
Likely XIs
India Women: Priya Punia, Smriti Mandhana, Punam Raut, Mithali Raj (c), Harmanpreet Kaur (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sushma Verma (wk), Jhulan Goswami (if fit, otherwise Mansi Joshi), Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
South Africa Women: Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvaardt (c), Lara Goodall, Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Anne Bosch, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nondumiso Shangase, Tumi Sekhukhune.