In the ongoing one-off Test between India and South Africa at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, India declared their innings after amassing a historic total of 603/6. South Africa responded with a fight on Day 1, reaching 236/4 but managed to add only 30 more runs, getting bowled out for 266 on Day 3. Forced to follow on, South Africa, trailing by 337 runs, lost Anneke Bosch early in their second innings. However, skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Suné Luus played crucial innings, forming the highest-ever any-wicket partnership for South Africa.
On Day 3, South Africa was bowled out for 266 in their first innings, with Marizanne Kapp top-scoring with 74 off 141 balls and Nadine de Klerk contributing 39 runs. Sneh Rana was the standout bowler for India, claiming an impressive 8 wickets for 77 runs in 25.3 overs. In their second innings, following on, South Africa showed resilience. Captain Laura Wolvaardt anchored the innings with an unbeaten 93 off 252 balls, and Sune Luus scored a valuable 109 off 203 balls before being dismissed in the 74th over by India’s skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. At the end of Day 3, South Africa’s second innings stood at 232 for 2, still trailing by 105 runs, with Kapp and Wolvaardt at the crease. Deepti Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur each took a wicket for India, leaving the match intriguingly poised.
The first innings saw a sensational performance by India’s bowling lineup, highlighted by Sneh Rana’s eight-wicket haul. This was followed by a strong fight and comeback from the Proteas in their third innings, keeping fans on the edge of their seats and sparking discussions on social media platforms. Here are some highlights from the match:
Here are some Fan reactions:
Sune goes past Tahlia McGrath (73) to score 75. It is the highest score against India since December.
Uncharted territory for India. #INDvSa https://t.co/EbSjaNKPve
— Kalyani Mangale (@MangaleKalyani) June 30, 2024
And a session without a wicket now. Neither Australia nor England managed that in the previous Tests.
This is exceptional from Laura and Sune! https://t.co/Rga3SNcGY4
— Kalyani Mangale (@MangaleKalyani) June 30, 2024
So happy to see Sune Luus back in the runs. It has been a long lean patch for her over the last year or two, but today she stamps her authority with her first ever test match hundred 🔥
Also wonderful partnership between her and Wolfie pic.twitter.com/dkmEo80XvE
— Werner (@Werries_) June 30, 2024
What a Test match this is turning out to be. This pair has batted a total of 379 balls and worn out the Indian bowling attack. Easily the most India has been ‘tested’ in a home red-ball fixture in the past year.
The cherry on top, a century for Sune Luus. Absolutely brilliant.… pic.twitter.com/8v9xuseEEY
— Lavanya 🎙️🎥👩🏻💻 (@lav_narayanan) June 30, 2024
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur Wicket Taking Celebration 🥶🔥#INDvSA #INDWvSAW #INDWvsSAW pic.twitter.com/0il9MMV1rE
— Kishan Kishor (@itskishankishor) June 30, 2024
The follow on isn’t working for India.
Didn’t think it was the correct decision given we bowled 85 overs and the players would be tired.
Just hope we don’t end up losing the match.
Great fight from SA https://t.co/NR768nH8F0
— Rama (@WobbleSeam) June 30, 2024
After 7 wickets fell in the morning, it could have been over very quickly for South Africa.
A brilliant rearguard action, led by Luus (109) and Wolvaardt (93*) following on, leaves them 232/2 (85.0) at stumps.
South Africa trail by 105 runs heading into the final day.#INDvSA
— hypocaust (@_hypocaust) June 30, 2024
Today is the first time in women’s Tests that a follow-on innings has made it 100 before the fall of the second wicket, let alone the score of 206 that RSA’s top three have managed today.
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) June 30, 2024
Sune Luus finally goes, for 109, RSA’s 2nd-highest score in Tests (and their fifth overall), having been the third batter in all Tests to make a hundred in a follow-on innings, after NGeorge (WI v Pak, 2004) and CEdwards (Eng v Ind, 2006). Replaced by MKapp, who has a Test 150..
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) June 30, 2024
Great resilience and character shown by Sune Luus. A knock that she will be proud of forever. #INDvSA
— The Cricket Philosopher (@outof22yards) June 30, 2024
Most runs in a women’s Test in India
217 Sandhya Agarwal
205 Shafali Verma
192 MD Thirushkamini174 SUNE LUUS
2 of the top 4 entries have come in this Test#INDvSA
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) June 30, 2024
South Africa have now made India bowl more than 84 overs in both the innings
They have really showed a lot of character irrespective of the result of this match#INDvSA
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) June 30, 2024