Women of India vs Women of South Africa: Taapsee Pannu praised Smriti Mandhana’s match-winning knock,

India’s women’s opener Smriti Mandhana played a brilliant unbeaten innings of 64 runs to help her team beat the South African women by nine wickets in the second ODI to level the five-match series 1-1. Mandhana hit three sixes and 10 fours as India Women chased down the target of 158 runs in less than 30 overs. The left-handed opener played some great strokes and his knock caught the eye of actor Tasen Pannu, who praised him on Twitter.

“@Mandhana_smriti, who was very happy to see you playing,” tweeted Taapsee Pannu, who is all set to set Mandhana’s one-day captain Mithali Raj in her upcoming Bollywood biopic.

@Mandhana_mriti What would you be happy to see playing https://t.co/IS9XtOetAc

– Tapose Pannu (@taapsee) March 9, 2021

Mithali Raj won the toss and decided to bowl, followed by veteran seamer Jhulan Goswami, who took four wickets as South Africa were bowled out for 157 runs.

In return, Mandhana gave India a strong start. He hit the first two balls he faced for a six to set the tone.

Despite losing his opening partner Jemimah Rodrigues in the fifth over, Mandhana scored at a brisk pace.

Punam Raut got off to a slow start at No. 3, but Mandhana ensured that India did not come under pressure.

He completed his half-century by hitting consecutive fours in the last two balls of the 20th over.

Mandhana kept her tempo up as Raut too gained momentum, eventually scoring 62 runs with 89.

Promoted

Mandhana won for India by scoring two successive boundaries at 160/1 in 28.4 overs.

He was adjudged Player of the Match for his brilliant knock.