Indian women produced a dominating display in the second One day international played at Diamond Oval, Kimberley of the ICC World Championships tournament. South African captain Dan Van Niekerk won the toss and elected to field. Smriti Mandhana scored 135 while Kaur and Veda Krishna Murthy scored half-centuries helping Indian team to post a massive 302 for 3. Chasing the target of 303, the Indian bowlers created pressure on South African batters and bowled out them for just 124.
Twitter on fire as Smriti Mandhana blasts 3rd ODI ton
South African captain Dan Van Niekerk won the toss and invited India into bat at Kimberly. Smriti Mandhana and Punam started the innings on a positive note scoring 51 runs in the first 10 overs. Both openers played with aggressive intent not allowing the South African bowlers to settle in a line and length. Soon after the first 10 overs, Punam Raut was dismissed for 20 runs. Both openers added 56 runs in 12.3 overs.
The captain Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana put on 51 runs for the second wicket. The stylish left-handed batter reached her half-century off 64 balls. After fall of Mithali Raj, Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur played with positive intent putting pressure on the South African bowlers. Mandhana became the first Indian score 3 One day international centuries in England, South Africa, and Australia.
It was a great display of batting by Mandhana who was dismissed for 135 off 129 balls. Both Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur added 134 runs for the third wicket. Veda Krishnamurthy and Harmanpreet Kaur smashed the South African bowlers to all parts of the ground. Harmanpreet Kaur completed her fifty off 66 balls. Krishnamurthy was in great hitting mood reaching her half-century off 32 balls. Indian women posted a massive total of 302 for 3 in 50 overs.
Chasing the massive target of 303, South African openers Wolvaardt and Lee began off to quickfire start putting on 32 runs in 5 overs. At the end of 10 overs, South Africa scored 51 runs for the loss of 2 wickets.
The Indian bowlers picked wickets at regular intervals. Lee reached her fifty off 56 balls was the top scorer with 73 runs. The rest of South African batting order failed as the hosts were bowled out for 124. Poonam Yadav was the top wicket taker with 4 wickets. Deepti Sharma and Gayakwad picked 2 wickets each.
Indian women 302 for 3 in 50 overs ( Smriti Mandhana 135, Harmanpreet Kaur 55*, V Krishnamurthy 51*) beat
South African women 124 in 30.5 overs ( L Lee 73, Poonam Yadav 4/24, RS Gayakwad 2/14) by 178 runs.
With this win, Indian women won the series 2-0. The third and final match will be played on 10th February.