India women eye clean sweep against South Africa in third ODI
BENGALURU: India was able to tame varied challenges thrown at it by South Africa so far, and it will be eager to take the series to its fitting conclusion of a 3-0 margin during the third and final ODI here on Sunday.
Currently, the margin stands 2-0 in favour of India but that insuperable position has not come without its own trials by fire.
In the first match, the Indian batters had to come back from a perilous 99 for five before making a 260-plus total. The home side bowlers defended the target well too.
But in the second game, it was the turn of the Indian bowlers to ace the test that they were subjected to by centurions Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp on a placid pitch.
Despite the heavy pounding, they kept their nerves till the last ball of the match to come out on the right side of the result.
However, the common thread across these two matches was the exceptional batting of Smriti Mandhana, who made 117 and 136 in them.
Mandhana thus became the first India woman batter to score two successive hundreds in ODIs, and she also equalled Mithali Raj’s record of seven one-day centuries.
So, the Indian vice-captain will be eager to sign off from the ODI series on a high before entering the one-off Test at Chennai from June 28.
The timely return to form of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who made an 88-ball 103 in the second match, too might have pleased the management no end.
However, the think tank will be eager to see a substantial outing from opener Shafali Verma, whose run of low scores has now been extended to eight matches.
With the series already in kitty, India might also give an outing to fringe players such as bowlers Shreyanka Patil, Saika Ishaque and top-order batter Priya Punia.
We’re looking to learn further: Deepti Sharma
Senior all-rounder Deepti Sharma said India will not treat its third ODI against South Africa as a dead-rubber, but it will be looking to consolidate the gains from previous matches.
“Yes, we have won the series but we will not approach this match as one of academic interest. We look to learn from whatever opportunities we get, as we will be going into the one-off Test (in Chennai) later this week,” said Deepti in the pre-match press meet.
The off-spinner had showcased her all-round skills in the first match, making a crucial 37 that helped India recover from a shaky 99 for five.
The 26-year-old also bagged two wickets. “I love to tackle pressure situations. My thought process is very clear. I always want to make the team win or place the team in a winning position whether it is with my batting or bowling,” she added.
In both the matches, Indian top-order made a rather slow start before gaining acceleration in the middle and end phases.
Deepti said the India batters have showed good adaptive skills in the series.
“The openers played as per the conditions. The ball was moving around a little bit in the initial overs, and they played within themselves. They adapted well,” she said.