IND-W vs SA-W: Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur Centuries in Spotlight As India Clinch Series Against South Africa

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IND-W vs SA-W: India secured a nail-biting victory over South Africa in the 2nd ODI held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, taking a decisive 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

The match concluded with India winning by a narrow margin of four runs, a testament to the high-intensity contest between the two sides. Smriti Mandhana was the star of the day as the southpaw slammed back-to-back centuries in the ODI series.

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur also slammed a century before Indian bowlers held on to their nerves for the narrow win on a belter.

After South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first, India posted a formidable total of 325/3 in their 50 overs. Nonkululeko Mlaba and Masabata Klaas were among the wickets for South Africa but their efforts were overshadowed by the Indian batters' dominance.

India started cautiously, with openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana facing tight bowling from Ayabonga Khaka and Masabata Klaas.

India managed just 1 run in the first three overs, setting a slow pace initially. However, Shafali Verma broke the shackles with some aggressive strokes, but her promising start ended when she was caught at mid-on off Nonkululeko Mlaba for 24.

Dayalan Hemalatha joined Mandhana at the crease and contributed a brisk 24, which included two sixes, before being caught off Klaas. Mandhana, undeterred, continued her rich vein of form, reaching her second consecutive century in the series.

She scored a majestic 136 off 120 balls, filled with 15 fours and 3 sixes, showcasing her elegant stroke play and aggression. Her partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur was pivotal, as the duo added significant runs in the middle overs.

Harmanpreet Kaur played a captain's knock, reaching her 6th ODI century off just 87 balls. She accelerated the scoring rate with a flurry of boundaries and took charge in the latter part of the innings. K

aur remained unbeaten on 103, hitting 10 fours and 2 sixes. The final overs saw Richa Ghosh providing the finishing touch with a quickfire 25* off 13 balls, which included a six and two fours in the last over, bowled by Nonkululeko Mlaba.

Chasing a daunting target of 326, South Africa's innings faced early hurdles, finding themselves at 67/3. However, a resilient effort from Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp kept the Proteas in the game. Both Wolvaardt and Kapp notched up centuries, with Wolvaardt remaining unbeaten on 134. Kapp's aggressive knock of 114 from 94 deliveries included some power-packed strokes, ensuring the chase was kept alive.

As the match approached its climax, the equation boiled down to South Africa needing 11 runs off the final over. Indian bowler Pooja Vastrakar held her nerve, delivering a stellar performance under pressure. She conceded just six runs in the final over while picking up two crucial wickets, dismissing Nandine de Klerk and Nondumiso Shangase in consecutive deliveries. De Klerk's dismissal, after scoring a quick 28 off 22 balls, was pivotal as it swung the match back in India's favor.

Throughout the South African innings, there were moments of tension and excitement. Key contributions came from Wolvaardt and Kapp, who put on a 150-run partnership that nearly took the game away from India. Despite their efforts, and some late fireworks from the lower order, South Africa fell short, finishing at 321/6 in their 50 overs.

This victory highlighted India's strong all-around performance and showcased the depth in their batting and bowling departments. Mandhana and Kaur's centuries set the foundation, while Vastrakar's composure in the final over exemplified the team's fighting spirit.

With this win, India not only clinched the series but also demonstrated their dominance and preparedness ahead of future international assignments. The third and final ODI now becomes a dead rubber, but both teams will be looking to gain momentum and confidence as they continue their journey in international cricket