Indian women continued their impressive run in the 2nd T20I against South African women played at Buffalo Park, East London. It was a good all-around display by Indian women who restricted the hosts to just 142 for 7 in 20 overs. While chasing Indian ODI captain Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana added 106 runs for the first wicket and completed the chase with ease.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to field again. South African openers L Lee and captain Dan Van Niekerk began steadily putting on 29 runs for the first wicket in 4 overs. At the end of six overs, South Africa scored 39 runs for 1. Â The Indian bowlers struck quick blows to reduce South Africa to 58 for 4. S Luus and N de Klerk added 43 runs for the 5th wicket. The South African batters could not score many runs as the Indian spinners of Poonam Yadav and AA Patil picked 2 wickets each. At the end of 50 overs, hosts scored 142 for 7 in 20 overs.
Chasing the target of 143, Smriti Mandhana and Mithali Raj gave a solid start adding 43 runs in the first six overs. Both Indian openers looked in aggressive touch putting pressure on South African bowling line up. Mandhana was dismissed for 48. Mithali Raj continued her impressive form and reached fifty off 48 balls. The Indian ODI captain hit the winning runs helping Indian women to register their second successive T20I win over South Africa.
Congratulations Mithali Raj on her second, consecutive Player of the Match award. #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/hzC1IXPBoN
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) February 16, 2018
Indian women 144 for 1 in 19.1 overs ( Mithali Raj 76*, Smriti Mandhana 57, M Daniels 1/21) beat
South African women 142 for 7 in 20 overs ( S Luus 33, N de Klerk 26, AA Patil 2/37, Poonam Yadav 2/18) by 9 wickets.
Indian women take a 2-0 lead in the five matches T20I series. The third T20I match of T20I series will be played on 18th February at Johannesburg.
