India Completes 3-0 ODI Sweep of South Africa with Six-Wicket Victory

India's women's cricket team continued their dominance over South Africa, completing a comprehensive 3-0 sweep of the ODI series with a resounding six-wicket victory at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Chasing a modest target of 216, India romped home with more than nine overs to spare, thanks to a brilliant 90-run knock from Smriti Mandhana. The left-handed opener once again showcased her exceptional batting skills, driving, clipping, and steering the ball effortlessly to the boundary. Despite missing out on a third consecutive century, her innings was a testament to her class and consistency.

Priya Punia, who replaced D. Hemalatha in the lineup, made a valuable contribution with 28 runs, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur chipped in with 42. However, it was Mandhana's brilliance that set the tone for India's victory.

Earlier, South Africa, who opted to bat first, began promisingly with captain Laura Wolvaardt (61) and Tazmin Brits (38) putting on a 102-run partnership. However, Wolvaardt's dismissal triggered a collapse, as the Proteas lost wickets in quick succession.

Arundhati Reddy, who replaced injured pacer Renuka Singh, played a key role in South Africa's downfall, taking two wickets for 36 runs. She dismissed Wolvaardt with a sharp catch off her own bowling and then accounted for Anneke Bosch in a similar fashion.

Shreyanka Patil, who came in for leg-spinner Asha Sobhana, also made an impact, dismissing star batter Marizanne Kapp to reduce South Africa to 120 for four.

Despite some resistance from Nadine de Klerk (26) and Mieke de Ridder (26 not out), South Africa could only manage to post 215 for nine in their allotted 50 overs.

India's bowlers, led by Reddy and Patil, kept the South African batters in check throughout the innings, with the Proteas failing to build any substantial partnerships.

In the end, India's superior batting depth proved too much for South Africa, as they cruised to victory with ease. The win extended India's unbeaten streak in ODIs against South Africa to 10 matches.

Tags: #Cricket, #WomensCricket, #SmritiMandhana, #India, #SouthAfrica