NEW DELHI: Persistent rain led to the abandonment of the second women’s T20 International between India and South Africa in Chennai on Sunday, after South Africa posted a total of 177 for six.
This result allowed South Africa to maintain their 1-0 lead in the three-match series, putting India in a must-win situation for the third and final T20I on Tuesday to avoid a rare home series defeat.
The match start was delayed by 15 minutes due to rain and experienced three interruptions during South Africa’s innings, though it didn’t halt the game.
However, a heavy downpour during the innings break kept both teams in their dressing rooms, and the persistent drizzle meant the 10:13 pm cut-off time for a five-over-a-side contest could not be met. Eventually, the umpires decided to abandon the match.
Tazmin Brits scored a measured fifty to help South Africa reach a challenging total after India chose to bowl first. Brits made 52 off 39 balls and got solid support from Anneke Bosch, who scored 40 off 32 balls. This partnership propelled South Africa to their second-highest T20I total against India.
Openers Laura Wolvaardt and Brits started strong with a 42-run opening stand before Pooja Vastrakar dismissed Wolvaardt in the fifth over. Brits then partnered with Marizanne Kapp, contributing to a brisk powerplay total of 66 runs.
Brits reached her 11th T20I half-century but eventually fell to Deepti Sharma in the 14th over with the score at 113 for three. The Indian bowlers, particularly the spinners, made it difficult for the South African batswomen by limiting their opportunities to bat freely, often forcing them to resort to sweep shots.
The final over, bowled by Pooja Vastrakar, saw the dismissal of Nadine de Klerk for 14 runs off 9 balls. However, Annerie Dercksen, who remained unbeaten with 12 runs, capitalized on a dropped catch by Jemimah Rodrigues by hitting three consecutive fours in the last three balls of the innings.
Pooja Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma were the standout bowlers for India, each claiming two wickets. Despite their efforts, the rain played the final spoil, leaving both teams to regroup for the decisive match ahead.
This result allowed South Africa to maintain their 1-0 lead in the three-match series, putting India in a must-win situation for the third and final T20I on Tuesday to avoid a rare home series defeat.
The match start was delayed by 15 minutes due to rain and experienced three interruptions during South Africa’s innings, though it didn’t halt the game.
However, a heavy downpour during the innings break kept both teams in their dressing rooms, and the persistent drizzle meant the 10:13 pm cut-off time for a five-over-a-side contest could not be met. Eventually, the umpires decided to abandon the match.
Tazmin Brits scored a measured fifty to help South Africa reach a challenging total after India chose to bowl first. Brits made 52 off 39 balls and got solid support from Anneke Bosch, who scored 40 off 32 balls. This partnership propelled South Africa to their second-highest T20I total against India.
Openers Laura Wolvaardt and Brits started strong with a 42-run opening stand before Pooja Vastrakar dismissed Wolvaardt in the fifth over. Brits then partnered with Marizanne Kapp, contributing to a brisk powerplay total of 66 runs.
Brits reached her 11th T20I half-century but eventually fell to Deepti Sharma in the 14th over with the score at 113 for three. The Indian bowlers, particularly the spinners, made it difficult for the South African batswomen by limiting their opportunities to bat freely, often forcing them to resort to sweep shots.
The final over, bowled by Pooja Vastrakar, saw the dismissal of Nadine de Klerk for 14 runs off 9 balls. However, Annerie Dercksen, who remained unbeaten with 12 runs, capitalized on a dropped catch by Jemimah Rodrigues by hitting three consecutive fours in the last three balls of the innings.
Pooja Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma were the standout bowlers for India, each claiming two wickets. Despite their efforts, the rain played the final spoil, leaving both teams to regroup for the decisive match ahead.
