India has hosted three Test matches since December, facing England, Australia, and South Africa. In all three matches, India emerged victorious.
If you were to consider a team that could challenge the host and prevent them from winning, turning a seemingly three-day Test into a battle that lasted until the final session of the last day, South Africa might not be the first team that comes to mind for those unfamiliar with women's cricket.
At the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, South Africa displayed remarkable determination as they fought to salvage the one-off Test match against India, although ultimately unsuccessful. India maintained their composure and secured a convincing 10-wicket victory, marking their third consecutive Test win at home.
Starting the day at 232/2, South Africa's skipper Laura Wolvaardt, who was batting on 93 overnight, reached her maiden Test century. She reached the milestone by playing a shot to deep square-leg.
India, who initially relied on spin, switched between Sneh Rana (who took eight wickets in the first innings) and Deepti Sharma.
Deepti Sharma made the first breakthrough for India by trapping Marizanne Kapp leg before in the 99th over with a full length delivery moving outside off. Kapp was caught on the pads, but despite knowing the consequences of losing the partnership, she reviewed in vain. Delmari Tucker chased after her to the pavilion in the following over, getting out for a duck.
Tucker played a fuller delivery from Sneh uppish through cover but Jemimah Rodrigues, who was off the field with cramps for most of day three, completed a brilliant low catch.
Nadine de Klerk then came in. Throughout the game, De Klerk showed her emotions on her sleeve, often to India’s advantage. In India’s only batting innings, the host capitalized on her fluctuating emotions, as seen in her bowling returns - 12 overs, 79 runs conceded for just the solitary wicket of Shubha Satheesh.
With the bat, De Klerk showed a similar urgency in the first innings as the pace of the game amped up and put pressure back on the Proteas. She fell for a 44-ball 39.
Nadine de Klerk entered the field next. De Klerk's emotions were on display throughout the match, benefiting India. During India's batting innings, they capitalized on her varying emotions, as seen in her bowling figures - 12 overs, conceding 79 runs for just one wicket of Shubha Satheesh.
De Klerk showed a similar sense of urgency with the bat in the first innings, but the pace of the game increased, putting pressure on the Proteas. She was dismissed for 39 off 44 balls.
South Africa's innings came to an end with De Klerk's dismissal, losing her stumps to a slower ball from Rajeshwari Gayakwad. The visitors secured a lead of 36 runs.
Smriti Mandhana was sidelined for most of the final day, allowing Shubha Satheesh to partner with Shafali Verma in opening the batting for India. The duo easily achieved the small target with just over an hour of play remaining in the day.
Throughout the weekend, the sun intermittently appeared, creating a wicket that was expected to offer turn but never truly did, posing a challenge for bowlers during the Test.
Nevertheless, Sneh and India's spin bowlers managed to dismiss the Proteas from the game.
The off-spinner, who received her second consecutive player-of-the-match award in this format, had a witty remark for the broadcasters after the match.
© 2024 Bharati News | All Right Reserved
