INDW v SAW | Harmanpreet Kaur applies finishing touches as spinner set up series win

After an all-round display won the fourth of five encounters between the two sides on Sunday to seal the rain-hit series 2-0, it was a spin-dominated show at Surat on Thursday. India’s decision to put the visitors in after winning the toss seemed like the wrong move when the South African openers, although slowly, made a steady start. Then, spin twins Radha and Poonam Yadav struck in successive overs, as South Africa crawled their way to 47 for two at the halfway point.

All of the Proteas batsmen from No.3 to No.7 made starts but failed to convert them into any substantial contributions. Laura Wolvaardt top-scored with 17 as they huffed and puffed their way to a mediocre total of 98 for eight, as the rain had forced the match to be reduced to 17 overs. 

The visitors found their mojo back in the early stages of India’s reply by removing both the openers - Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana - and No.3 Jemimah Rodrigues cheaply. However, a fifty-run stand between the skipper and Deepti Sharma saw India approach the finish line. When Deepti fell for 16, India only needed another 20 runs off 33 deliveries.

Although they lost another wicket in the process, Kaur hit the winning runs and saw the team through and took home the Man of the Match performance for her all-round display — 34 not out, and one for 13 with the ball.

Considering that two of the initially planned five-match series was washed out, the two teams will now play an extra T20I on Friday, before they head to Vadodara for three ODIs.