Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Table of Contents
The rivalry between the India Women’s National Cricket Team and the South Africa Women’s National Cricket Team has produced several memorable contests, but the second ODI of the 2024 series in Bengaluru stands out as one of the most dramatic encounters between the two sides. Played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the match showcased elite batting, tactical captaincy, outstanding individual performances, and a thrilling finish that kept spectators engaged until the final ball. India posted a massive total powered by two centuries, while South Africa responded with equal determination before falling agonizingly short by four runs in a high-scoring classic.
Match Overview
The second ODI of the South Africa Women’s Tour of India 2024 delivered everything cricket fans could ask for. India accumulated a commanding 325/3 in 50 overs after batting first. South Africa responded brilliantly and nearly chased down the target, eventually finishing on 321/6.
The contest featured three centuries, several crucial partnerships, and pressure-filled moments in the final overs. While India celebrated a narrow victory, South Africa earned admiration for their fearless chase.
Match Summary
| Match Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India Women vs South Africa Women, 2nd ODI |
| Venue | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Date | 19 June 2024 |
| Toss | South Africa Women won the toss and elected to field |
| India Women | 325/3 (50 overs) |
| South Africa Women | 321/6 (50 overs) |
| Result | India Women won by 4 runs |
| Player of the Match | Smriti Mandhana |
The summary highlights just how closely contested the match was. A target of 326 appeared daunting initially, but South Africa’s batters transformed the chase into a thriller. The four-run margin reflects the fine balance between the two teams throughout the contest. India’s batting excellence ultimately proved slightly superior to South Africa’s determined pursuit.
Toss and Team Decisions
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt elected to field first after winning the toss. The decision was influenced by Bengaluru’s reputation as a chasing venue and the possibility of evening dew assisting the batters later in the game.
Initially, the strategy appeared effective when India lost Shafali Verma relatively early. However, South Africa struggled to contain India’s middle-order batters once Smriti Mandhana settled at the crease. The toss decision was not necessarily incorrect, but India’s exceptional batting execution ensured the Proteas faced a challenging chase.
India Women Innings Analysis
India’s innings was built around patience during the middle overs and explosive acceleration in the final stages.
Smriti Mandhana played one of the finest ODI knocks of her career. She anchored the innings beautifully while maintaining an impressive strike rate. After Shafali’s departure, Mandhana absorbed pressure and gradually increased the scoring tempo.
Dayalan Hemalatha contributed a useful 24 runs, helping stabilize the innings. Once Harmanpreet Kaur joined Mandhana, the match shifted decisively in India’s favour.
The partnership between Mandhana and Harmanpreet dismantled South Africa’s bowling plans. Both batters found gaps consistently and punished loose deliveries. Harmanpreet’s unbeaten century added significant momentum during the death overs.
India Women Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shafali Verma | 20 | 38 | 3 | 0 |
| Smriti Mandhana | 136 | 120 | 18 | 2 |
| Dayalan Hemalatha | 24 | 41 | 1 | 2 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur* | 103 | 88 | 9 | 3 |
| Richa Ghosh* | 25 | 13 | 3 | 1 |
| Extras | 17 | |||
| Total | 325/3 | 50 Overs |
This batting card illustrates India’s dominance. Mandhana and Harmanpreet combined classical strokeplay with aggressive intent. The ability of Richa Ghosh to finish strongly ensured India crossed the 320-run mark, a total that ultimately became decisive. The contribution from the top four batters accounted for most of India’s score and demonstrated excellent batting depth.
South Africa Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonkululeko Mlaba | 10 | 55 | 2 |
| Masabata Klaas | 10 | 65 | 1 |
| Ayabonga Khaka | 10 | 69 | 0 |
| Nadine de Klerk | 10 | 61 | 0 |
| Nondumiso Shangase | 10 | 73 | 0 |
South Africa’s bowlers encountered a difficult day. Although Mlaba claimed two important wickets, the overall attack struggled to contain India’s scoring rate. The final ten overs proved especially expensive, allowing India to add crucial runs that later became the difference between victory and defeat.
South Africa Women Innings Analysis
Chasing 326 required a near-perfect batting performance, and South Africa came remarkably close.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt led from the front with a magnificent century. She paced the innings brilliantly and ensured South Africa remained within striking distance throughout the chase.
The supporting batters played valuable roles, rotating strike effectively and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. South Africa maintained pressure on India’s bowlers, particularly during the middle overs.
As the required rate climbed in the closing stages, the chase became increasingly tense. Despite a heroic effort, South Africa finished just four runs short of a memorable victory.
South Africa Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Wolvaardt | 135 | 135 | 12 | 3 |
| Tazmin Brits | 18 | 23 | 2 | 0 |
| Anneke Bosch | 18 | 21 | 2 | 0 |
| Sune Luus | 28 | 25 | 3 | 0 |
| Marizanne Kapp | 22 | 18 | 2 | 1 |
| Nadine de Klerk | 22 | 17 | 2 | 1 |
| Others & Extras | 78 | |||
| Total | 321/6 | 50 Overs |
Wolvaardt‘s innings was the cornerstone of the chase. Her century showcased exceptional timing, placement, and composure under pressure. However, the lack of one additional substantial partnership in the closing overs prevented South Africa from completing the chase.
India Women Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pooja Vastrakar | 7 | 54 | 2 |
| Arundhati Reddy | 8 | 62 | 1 |
| Deepti Sharma | 10 | 49 | 1 |
| Radha Yadav | 10 | 60 | 1 |
| Asha Sobhana | 10 | 58 | 1 |
India’s bowlers faced relentless pressure throughout the chase. While no bowler completely dominated, wickets at crucial stages kept India ahead. Pooja Vastrakar’s breakthroughs were particularly significant because they disrupted South Africa’s momentum during key periods.
Important Partnerships
| Partnership | Runs | Players |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Wicket | 38 | Shafali Verma & Smriti Mandhana |
| 2nd Wicket | 62 | Mandhana & Hemalatha |
| 3rd Wicket | 168+ | Mandhana & Harmanpreet Kaur |
| South Africa Key Stand | 100+ | Wolvaardt & Middle Order |
Partnerships defined the match. India’s third-wicket stand between Mandhana and Harmanpreet transformed a solid innings into a match-winning total. South Africa responded with meaningful stands around Wolvaardt, but none matched the scale or impact of India’s biggest partnership.
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | India | 136 runs |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | India | 103* runs |
| Laura Wolvaardt | South Africa | 135 runs |
| Pooja Vastrakar | India | 2 wickets |
| Nonkululeko Mlaba | South Africa | 2 wickets |
The top performers table highlights why this match is remembered as a batting spectacle. Three world-class centuries dominated proceedings. Mandhana’s innings carried extra value because it laid the foundation for India’s total and earned her the Player of the Match award.
How The Match Was Won
India’s victory was built on four critical factors:
- Mandhana’s Century Foundation – Her 136 established the platform for a massive score.
- Harmanpreet’s Finishing Power – The captain accelerated brilliantly in the final phase.
- Death Overs Execution – India scored heavily during the last ten overs.
- Timely Wickets – South Africa never fully controlled the chase despite Wolvaardt’s brilliance.
India did not dominate throughout the contest. Instead, they consistently won the crucial moments. Their ability to maximize scoring opportunities and strike at key stages during South Africa’s chase ultimately secured victory.
Key Moments That Changed The Game
Mandhana Survives Early Pressure
After Shafali’s dismissal, Mandhana absorbed pressure and prevented further wickets.
Harmanpreet’s Century Partnership
The massive stand between Mandhana and Harmanpreet shifted momentum entirely toward India.
Final Overs Acceleration
India’s late assault pushed the total beyond 320, adding invaluable runs.
Wolvaardt’s Century
Her brilliant innings kept South Africa alive deep into the chase.
Crucial Breakthroughs
India’s bowlers removed set batters at important moments, preventing South Africa from taking complete control.
Final Over Pressure
The chase remained alive until the closing deliveries, but India held their nerve.
Key Statistics From The Match
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| India Total | 325/3 |
| South Africa Total | 321/6 |
| Winning Margin | 4 Runs |
| Highest Score | Smriti Mandhana – 136 |
| Best South Africa Score | Laura Wolvaardt – 135 |
| Centuries | 3 |
| Total Runs Scored | 646 |
| Total Boundaries | 60+ |
These numbers reveal the extraordinary quality of batting on display. More than 640 runs were scored across 100 overs, making it one of the highest-quality women’s ODI contests of the year. The presence of three centuries further underlines the batting excellence shown by both teams.
Final Result and Significance
India Women defeated South Africa Women by four runs in a thrilling ODI encounter at Bengaluru. The victory showcased India’s growing batting strength and ability to perform under pressure. For South Africa, despite the defeat, the performance demonstrated their competitiveness against one of the world’s strongest sides.
The match also highlighted the increasing quality of women’s cricket, with elite batting, tactical battles, and a dramatic finish producing a contest worthy of international attention. It remains one of the standout ODI matches involving the two teams in recent years.
FAQs
What was the result of the India Women vs South Africa Women match?
India Women defeated South Africa Women by four runs in the second ODI of the 2024 series at Bengaluru. India scored 325/3 in their allotted 50 overs, while South Africa finished on 321/6. The match remained in the balance until the final over, making it one of the most exciting women’s ODI contests of the year. The narrow margin reflected how evenly matched the teams were throughout the game.
Who was the Player of the Match in the India Women vs South Africa Women ODI?
Smriti Mandhana was named Player of the Match for her magnificent innings of 136 runs from 120 balls. She struck 18 boundaries and two sixes while anchoring India’s innings. Her knock provided the platform for India’s imposing total and allowed the middle order to attack freely. The quality, timing, and match impact of her century made her the standout performer.
How many centuries were scored in the match?
Three centuries were scored during the match. Smriti Mandhana made 136 for India, Harmanpreet Kaur remained unbeaten on 103, and South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt responded with an outstanding 135. The presence of three centuries in a single ODI demonstrates the quality of batting displayed by both sides and explains why the match produced such a high aggregate score.
Why was Harmanpreet Kaur’s innings important?
Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbeaten 103 ensured India accelerated significantly during the latter half of their innings. While Mandhana laid the foundation, Harmanpreet increased the scoring rate and punished South Africa’s bowlers during the death overs. Her aggressive strokeplay added crucial runs that eventually proved decisive because India won the match by only four runs.
How close did South Africa come to winning the match?
South Africa came extremely close to victory. Chasing 326, they ended on 321/6 after 50 overs, just four runs short. Laura Wolvaardt’s century and several useful contributions kept the chase alive until the final stages. Had South Africa managed one more boundary or converted a few singles into doubles during the closing overs, the result could easily have gone in their favour.
What made this match special compared to other women’s ODIs?
This match featured elite batting, three centuries, over 640 runs, dramatic momentum swings, and a nail-biting finish. Both teams displayed exceptional skill and determination. The quality of individual performances, combined with the narrow result, elevated the contest beyond a routine bilateral ODI. Many observers regard it as one of the finest women’s ODI matches played in 2024 because it showcased the growth and competitiveness of international women’s cricket.
