India defeat South Africa in Women's 4th T20I by 51 runs, leads 2-0

India women defeated South Africa women by 51 runs in the fourth T20I at the Lalabhai Contractor Stadium in Surat on Tuesday, October 1. India now leads the five-match series 2-0 with one match left. The second and the third matches were abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain. Due to a wet outfield, the toss was delayed and the match was reduced to 17 overs per side. Almost 8000 fans turned up at the stadium to cheer for the Indian women team.

The 15-year-old Shafali Varma impressed with her performance

After being sent to bat first, India had a brilliant start as both the openers, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana took India past 50 runs. After being dismissed on a duck on her debut, The 15-year-old Shafali made an impressive comeback and scored 46 runs from 33 balls. She kept hitting boundaries and sixes but just when she was four runs away from her half-century, Tumi Sekhukhune bowled her. Jemimah Rodrigues (33), Deepti Sharma (20) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (16) made valuable contributions and helped the team to set a target of 141 runs for South Africa women. Nadine de Klerk was the top wicket-taker for her team as she picked up two wickets and gave away 24 runs in her three overs.

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Poonam Yadav - the player of the match

Chasing a target of 141 runs, South Africa faced an early blow as their opener Lizelle Lee was run out in the second over. Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt then took the charge and provided some momentum to their innings. Wolvaardt’s innings ended on 23 runs after Radha Yadav took her wicket in the eight over. Then began the collapse of the South African innings as Poonam Yadav came to bowl and picked up three wickets in her three overs giving away only 13 runs. Poonam came within touching distance of a hat-trick, after sending back Nadine de Klerk and Mignon du Preez. She was adjudged the player of the match for her performance. The Indian bowlers continued to take wickets as South Africa failed to chase the target and were restricted to 87-7 in their 17 overs. The fifth T20I between both the teams will be played on October 5.

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