Tazmin Brits’s career-best powers the Proteas to their first victory on the tour as the visitors go 1-0 up in the T20I series
The Women in Blue led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur are currently dominating the all-format series against the visiting South Africans led by skipper Laura Wolvaardt. India completed a whitewash (3-0) in the ODI series, they continued their impressive show in the red-ball format with a hard-fought 10-wicket victory in a one-off Test match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, in Chennai.
The caravan now moves on to the three-match T20I series that will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, in Chennai. Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and opted to field first in the 1st T20I in Chennai. After being inserted to bat first, the South African openers Tazmin Brits and skipper Laura Wolvaardt got off to a positive start with a 50-run opening stand, scoring over seven runs an over.
Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav picked up the big wicket of the opposition skipper Laura Wolvardt to provide the first breakthrough for India. The experienced Marizanne Kapp stepped in at number three to join Tazmin Brits at the crease and the duo stitched a massive 96-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. The partnership provided a solid platform for a blockbuster finish for the visitors. Radha Yadav came back and picked up the wicket of Marizanne Kapp to provide the much-needed 2nd breakthrough for her side.
Chloe Tryon joined opening batter Tazmin Brits at the crease and the duo stitched a quick-fire 38-run partnership for the 3rd wicket to take their side closer to the 190-run mark. Pooja Vastrakar picked up the wicket of Chloe Tryon to provide the 3rd breakthrough for India. The visitors, South Africa eventually ended up with a total of 189/4 in their quota of overs.
Tazmin Brits (81 off 56 balls) notched up her career-best T20I score surpassing her previous best of 78 against Pakistan on 1st September 2023 in the 1st T20I. Marizanne Kapp (57 off 33 balls), and skipper Laura Wolvaardt (33 off 22 balls) were the top performers with the bat for South Africa. Pooja Vastrakar (4-0-23-2), and Radha Yadav (4-0-40-2) were the top performers with the ball for India.
Chasing a target of 190, the Indian openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana got off to a flying start in the powerplay with a 56-run opening stand, scoring over 10 runs an over. Ayabonga Khakha picked up the wicket of Shafali Verma to provide the first breakthrough for South Africa. Dayalan Hemalatha joined Smriti Mandhana at the crease and the duo stitched a crucial 31-run partnership for the third wicket to put India in a strong position in a stiff run chase.
The home side lost a couple of wickets in quick succession, losing both their set batters to bring the Proteas back into the contest. Jemimah Rodrigues joined skipper Harmanpreet Kaur at the crease and the duo took their side agonisingly closer to the target with a 90-run 5th-wicket partnership. However, eventually, it wasn’t enough for the home side as they fell 12 runs short of the target.
Jemimah Rodrigues (53 off 30 balls), Smriti Mandhana (46 off 30 balls), and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (35 off 29 balls) were the top performers with the bat for India. Nadine de Klerk (4-0-30-1), Chloe Tryon (4-0-32-1), Chloe Tryon (4-0-32-1), and Ayabonga Khakha (4-0-39-1) were the top performers with the ball for South Africa. The opening batter Tazmin Brits was awarded the Player of the Match for her sensational match-winning performance (81 off 56 balls) with the bat.
South Africa survived a spirited fightback from the duo of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues towards the end as the Proteas registered their first victory on the tour to go 1-0 up in the three-match T20I series. The decider 2nd T20I of the series will be played on 7th July 2024 (Sunday) from 7 Pm IST onwards.