After winning the toss and batting in good conditions, India would have wanted somewhere between 170 and 175 to put South Africa under pressure. The truth is that, at multiple points, they seemed to be taking control. But each time there was a partnership and just as things appeared to be moving in India’s favour, they lost a wicket. That was the problem. Wickets at regular intervals slowed things down, and India finished around 15 runs short. Not one batter went on to convert their start, and that was the difference between a competitive score and a match-winning one.
Some of the shots played were poor. Smriti Mandhana had no reason to try the paddle to Marizanne Kapp while exposing her stumps. India were off to a flier and had already reached 30 from three overs. Shafali Verma, as expected, got a short one from Shabnim Ismail and was unable to get the bat away in time. Yastika Bhatia, who was looking good, missed one pitched on leg stump, and Jemimah Rodrigues, after a fine shot over extra cover, offered a leading edge.
Yet again, it was down to Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma, and they were going well for a good four-to-five-over period. Harmanpreet, after a couple of good shots in her 200th ODI, looked out of breath at the end of the 14th over, and that may have caused a lapse in concentration. Deepti, after a very well-played 29, offered a catch at fine leg. Richa Ghosh’s reaction from the other end was instructive. The entire long-on to midwicket arc was available for the shot, and yet Deepti tried to clear the short fine-leg fielder. Her dismissal at a critical time, followed by Richa’s, pushed India back to under 160.
At the halfway stage, it was South Africa who were slightly ahead, with India needing a very good bowling effort. Spin was to be their go-to option, with Prema Rawat making her debut.
India did start well, with Shree Charani picking up two wickets and the side looking in complete control, before fielding lapses yet again came back to haunt them. Multiple catches were dropped, and that too by Radha Yadav, which meant South Africa were given too many chances. Marizanne Kapp made the most of them and played a match-winning innings.
Three dropped catches summed up the Indian fielding effort, and that is what cost them the game. Now, the match against Australia is a virtual knockout for India, with their World Cup hopes hanging in the balance.
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