South Africa added salt to India’s wounds by registering a five-wicket win over the hosts in the low-scoring fifth and final women’s ODI to win the series 4-1 here on Wednesday. Mithali Raj played a captain’s innings with an unbeaten 79-run stand, but it was enough to knock India out for 188. Chasing the target in 48.2 overs, South Africa scored with the help of half-centuries from Anneke Bosch (58) and Mignon du Preez (57).
The series marked India’s return to international cricket after 12 months. They were naturally hardened to start by the end of the series, it seemed they had a lot of work to do if they wanted to be title contenders for the World Cup early next year.
Batting needs more firepower and bowling concerns also need to be addressed as spinners, traditionally struggled against India’s strength, South Africa.
Making a comeback after a long break, the Indian players had only a few training sessions ahead of the series, as they too had to undergo a week of quarantine.
In the post-match presentation, Mithali said, “Clearly, we need a few camps before the series. We were underestimated, the batting unit tried to improve from match to match. Our spinners needed to improve. needed.”
He said, “Apart from the result, it’s a good series for us. Exposure to young players, and a chance to those players for the rhythm. Congratulations to South Africa for doing so well in our conditions.”
A disastrous start for South Africa as the spectators lost their top three batsmen, with captain Louis (10) scoring just 27 runs.
Du Preez (57) and Bosch (58) stabilized South Africa’s run chase with a 96-run partnership for the fourth wicket, before the Indian bowlers pulled things back, both set batsmen in quick succession. Out.
At that time South Africa were scoring 131 runs for five wickets, yet they needed 58 runs in 13 overs to win.
While Bosch’s knock came with eight fours and came off 70 balls, du Prez was a tad slow as he took 10 balls for his innings and hit just four boundaries in the process.
Marijane Kapp (36 not out) and Nadine de Kilak (19 not out), however, ensured that there were no further hiccups as the duo shared an unbeaten 58-run stand for the sixth wicket for South Africa at home.
For India, left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gaikwad took three wickets for 13 runs in 10 overs.
Earlier, Mithali carried India’s innings forward and lost three wickets for India in the 13th over with a score of 53 runs.
With Harmanpreet Kaur (30), who retired hurt due to injury, Mithali shared a 71-run partnership for the fourth wicket before being taken off the field in the 31st over.
India lost opener Priya Punia (18) as the star batsman of India’s series Punam Raut (10) and Smriti Mandhana (18).
Mithali Hemlata (2) and Sushma Verma (0) failed to provide the much needed support to Mithali as the experienced Indian batsman scored his second half-century in the series in the 38th over and 55th in 78 balls.
Jhulan Goswami (5) and Monica Patel (9) also did not bother the scorers much as Mithali kept India’s innings single-handedly.
Debutant Chaluru Prathyusha (2) also failed to make his mark after India’s 176 for eight at the end of the 47th over.
Promoted
Mithali was left stranded at a time as India lost wickets at regular intervals and were dismissed in 49.3 overs.
Medium Pacer de Kirkle was one of the bowlers for South Africa with a figure of 35.
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