South African batter Nadine de Klerk survived in the 153rd over of their second innings after Pooja dropped a simple chance at mid-off off Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
Nadine, facing a fuller delivery, attempted to hit across the line, resulting in a top edge that flew towards mid-off. Pooja, positioned at mid-off, initially caught the ball but fumbled twice before eventually dropping it. Renuka also rushed towards Pooja in an effort to catch the dropped ball but also failed to grab it.
India went on to secure a resounding 10-wicket victory, thanks to a record-breaking performance by opener Shafali Verma and a remarkable bowling effort by Sneh Rana. Shafali Verma’s blistering 197-ball double-century and Sneh Rana’s impressive first-innings figures of 8/77 were pivotal in the match.
After declaring their first innings at 603/6, with Shafali scoring 205 and Smriti Mandhana contributing 149, India dominated South Africa. Rana’s career-best figures helped dismiss the visitors for 266.
India enforced the follow-on, with South Africa still needing 337 runs to avoid an innings defeat. Despite valiant efforts from captain Laura Wolvaardt (122) and former skipper Sune Luus (109), along with de Klerk’s 61, South Africa managed 373 in their second innings, setting a target of 37 runs for India.
Shubha Satheesh (13 not out) and Shafali Verma (24 not out) quickly reached the target in 9.2 overs, sealing the win for India.
