India falter as Wolvaardt guides SA to 4-1 series win
Benoni, April 28 -- India suffered yet another batting meltdown in a modest 156-run chase as South Africa rode on skipper Laura Wolvaardt's sublime 92* to clinch a convincing 23-run win and seal the women's T20I series 4-1.
Wolvaardt, who has already notched up two fifties and a century in the series, struck 11 fours and two sixes in her 56-ball knock, carrying her bat despite wickets falling around her. Her late flourish - two sixes off the final two balls - lifted South Africa past the 150-mark after a middle-overs slowdown.
In reply, India were restricted to 132/8, with their experienced batters once again failing to deliver. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur laboured to 22 off 28 balls, while Shafali Verma (4), Jemimah Rodrigues (1) and Deepti Sharma (8) fell cheaply without much resistance. It was left to Bharti Fulmali to provide some fight with a counter-attacking 40 off 30 balls (4x4, 2x6), but India's middle-overs stagnation following a poor start proved costly.
South Africa's bowlers were disciplined throughout, with Nonkululeko Mlaba leading the charge with an impressive 2/15, including a maiden, and accounting for Harmanpreet. Nadine de Klerk also picked up two wickets.
It was a reality check for the WODI champions India ahead of the T20 World Cup in two months' time, as frequent changes in the XI and lack of consistency continued to hurt their campaign.
India got off to a poor start, losing Shafali and Rodrigues in quick succession to slump to 21 for two in four overs. Shafali's attempted sweep off Eliz-Mari Marx found Chloe Tryon at fine leg, who held on to a sharp catch. Rodrigues followed soon after, mistiming a pull off Ayabonga Khaka, with Tryon once again impressing with a well-judged running catch at deep square leg. With India in trouble early, Harmanpreet and opener Anushka Sharma attempted to rebuild cautiously.
However, with the required rate climbing, Anushka fell to a well-disguised slower ball from de Klerk, leaving India at 38 for three in 7.3 overs. Their 17-run stand consumed 24 balls, adding to the pressure.
Brief scores: South Africa 155/6 (Laura Wolvaardt 92*, Deepti Sharma 2/37). India 132/8 (Bharti Fulmali 40, Nadine de Klerk 2/26). SA won by 23 runs....
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