Women’s Tri-Nation ODI Series Pratika steers India to second successive win

India Women celebrate a dismissal (Pic courtesy SLC)

By M. Shamil Amit

Pratika Rawal continued her batting form as she laid the foundation for India Women to record a thrilling 15-run win over South Africa Women in the second match of the Women’s Tri-Nation ODI Series cricket encounter played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday.

South Africa, chasing a formidable 277 runs, were given a sound start of 140 by their openers Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt. But the dismissal of Brits, who made a quick-fire 109 in 107 balls inclusive 13 boundaries and three sixes, saw them falling back.

The middle order batting put in some resistance and brought them closer to the target but the late order filed to make any impression and they were able to muster a score of 261 to giving India their second successive win.

Earlier, Pratika Rawal spearheaded the Indian batting with another fine knock of 78 following her half century against Sri Lanka.

Pratika’s knock came 91 balls with seven boundaries and a six and she also put on two valuable partnerships.

First, she added 83 runs with her opening partner Smriti Mandhana, giving the side a flying start. She followed it up with a 68-run stand for the second wicket with Harleen Deol.

Later, Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur shared a 59-run stand for the fourth wicket with Jemimah Rodrigues, which helped India to end with a formidable score of 276 for six.

Chief scores

India Women: 276/6 in 50 overs (Pratika Rawal 78, Jemimah Rodrigues 41, Smriti Mandhana 36, Harleen Deol 29, Richa Ghosh 24, Harmanpreet Kaur 41 n.o, Nonkululeko Mlaba 2/55)

South Africa Women: 261 in 49.2 overs (Tazmin Brits 109, Laura Wolvaardt 43, Annerie Dercksen 30, Sune Luus 28, Sneh Rana 5/43).