Germany Women successfully defended a modest target with a disciplined all-round performance to register a 13-run victory over Switzerland Women in the third T20I of the Switzerland Women tour of Germany at SSC Karlsruhe.
After opting to bat first, Germany endured a stop-start innings but managed to post a competitive score thanks to useful contributions from the top order before their bowlers produced a clinical display to bowl Switzerland out for 85 in 17.3 overs. The victory was built on timely partnerships, sharp bowling spells, and excellent fielding, with Antonia Meyenborg earning the Player of the Match award for her match-winning spell.
Germany’s innings never really found complete momentum after they were asked to set the tone. Wilhelmina Hornero-Garcia and Aishani Kishore opened the batting, but the first breakthrough came early when Samhia Konuganti dismissed Kishore for 7, ending the opening stand at 19 runs. Hornero-Garcia continued to anchor the innings despite wickets falling around her.
Germany suffered another setback when Gargi Arya was trapped lbw by Meghna Rajan without scoring, reducing the hosts to 20/2. Hornero-Garcia and Ameya Kanukuntla then rebuilt patiently, adding a valuable 38-run partnership for the third wicket. Hornero-Garcia compiled a steady 31 off 40 balls, striking three boundaries before becoming Rajan’s second victim at 58/3.
With the innings delicately poised, Kanukuntla took responsibility and stitched together another useful stand of 14 runs with Shravya Kolcharam, who contributed 10 from 12 deliveries. Kolcharam was dismissed at 72/4, caught by Franziska Kuenburg off Sejal Vinod. Germany’s hopes of a late flourish were dented as wickets continued to tumble. Rameesha Shahid fell for a duck to Samhia Dabholkar, while captain Asmita Kohli managed just 4 before Vani Dhanuka struck.
Wicketkeeper Verena Stolle was also dismissed without scoring as Sejal Vinod picked up her second wicket. Kanukuntla’s fighting knock of 24 from 29 balls came to an end at 88/8, and Antonia Meyenborg scored only 1 before being run out. Yukthi Suresh added a handy 5 before becoming the final wicket, while Iris Edwards remained unbeaten on 1. Germany finished on 98 in 19.1 overs, with 15 extras proving crucial in a low-scoring contest.
Switzerland’s bowlers shared the workload effectively to prevent Germany from posting a bigger total. Meghna Rajan was outstanding with figures of 3 for 16 in four overs, removing both Gargi Arya and Hornero-Garcia. Sejal Vinod also impressed by claiming 2 for 17, while Vani Dhanuka returned 2 for 18. Samhia Konuganti bowled with excellent control, conceding only 14 runs in her four overs while taking the important wicket of Kishore. Samhia Dabholkar chipped in with one wicket, while Naina Metty Saju and Natalie Clarke kept things tight despite finishing wicketless.
Chasing 99, Switzerland never managed to establish lasting momentum as Germany’s bowlers struck at regular intervals. Laila Pickard departed for 1 with the score at 2, caught by Gargi Arya off Antonia Meyenborg. Vani Dhanuka followed soon after for 2, leaving Switzerland at 9/2. Meghna Rajan attempted to stabilise the innings and found brief support from Natalie Clarke, but Clarke was dismissed for a duck by Meyenborg. Rajan then added a short 11-run partnership with Amrita Sasidharan, whose stay ended without scoring after being caught off Kanukuntla. Another 18-run stand followed between Rajan and Franziska Kuenburg, but Asmita Kohli removed Kuenburg for 6.
Rajan continued to fight, adding 16 runs with captain Danashi Medagoda, who made 7 before Yukthi Suresh trapped her lbw. Switzerland slipped further when Samhia Dabholkar fell for 2 after a 24-run partnership with Rajan, with Gargi Arya taking the wicket. Rajan’s determined knock finally ended through a run out after scoring 38 from 49 balls, including two boundaries.
Naina Metty Saju added 6 before another run out, while Samhia Konuganti managed just 1 before Kanukuntla trapped her lbw. Sejal Vinod remained unbeaten on 2, but Switzerland were eventually dismissed for 85 in 17.3 overs, with Rajan the last to depart, falling 13 runs short of the target.
Germany’s bowling unit delivered a complete team performance. Antonia Meyenborg led from the front with exceptional figures of 3 for 8 in four overs, removing Pickard, Clarke and Dhanuka while maintaining relentless accuracy.
Ameya Kanukuntla supported brilliantly with 2 for 14, dismissing Amrita Sasidharan and Samhia Konuganti. Asmita Kohli, Yukthi Suresh, and Gargi Arya claimed one wicket each, while Iris Edwards bowled economically despite going wicketless. Germany also benefited from two crucial run-outs that halted Switzerland’s resistance at key moments.
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