India Women Set Sights On ODI Clean Sweep Against South Africa

India Women, who triumphed over South Africa Women by four runs in the second ODI on Wednesday, aim to secure a 3-0 series win at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, June 23.

South Africa Women put up a strong fight in the second game at the same venue. Their captain, Laura Wolvaardt, scored an unbeaten 135 runs off as many balls, challenging India Women despite their score of 325/3 after batting first.

In the first match, Indian batters recovered from a precarious 99 for five to post a total exceeding 260. The bowlers then defended the target effectively.

However, in the second game, Indian bowlers faced a stern test from centurions Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp on a flat pitch. Despite the pressure, they maintained their composure till the last ball to secure victory.

The standout performer across these two matches was Smriti Mandhana, who scored 117 and 136. Mandhana became the first Indian woman batter to hit two consecutive hundreds in ODIs and equalled Mithali Raj's record of seven one-day centuries.

The Indian vice-captain will be keen to finish the ODI series on a high note before heading into the one-off Test in Chennai starting June 28. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's return to form with an 88-ball 103 in the second match is also a positive sign for the team management.

However, there are concerns about opener Shafali Verma, whose streak of low scores has now extended to eight matches. The think tank will be hoping for a significant contribution from her.

With the series already won, India might consider giving opportunities to fringe players such as bowlers Shreyanka Patil and Saika Ishaque, as well as top-order batter Priya Punia.

On the other hand, South Africa will be eager to win the match and secure at least two ICC Women's ODI Championship points, crucial for their qualification for next year's 50-over World Cup. A victory would also boost their confidence ahead of the Test and T20I series. For this, they will need a collective effort from both batters and bowlers.

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Uma Chetry (WK), Dayalan Hemalatha, Radha Yadav, Asha Sobhana, Shreyanka Patil, Saika Ishaque, Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Priya Punia.

Laura Wolvaardt (C), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Eliz-Mari Marz, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukune, Nondumiso Shangase, Delmi Tucker.