India Women defeated South Africa Women by 23 runs in the fifth match of the ODI Tri-Series at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. India posted 337/9 on the scoreboard, powered by a blazing century from Jemimah Rodrigues, a near-century by Deepti Sharma, and a well-played half-century by Smriti Mandhana. In response, South Africa batted bravely and recorded their second-highest total while chasing, thanks to half-centuries from Annerie Dercksen and Chloe Tryon. However, they still fell short and were knocked out of the tournament.
Early Blows to India
South Africa Women won the toss and opted to bowl. Their bowlers struck early. Nadine de Klerk removed Pratika Rawal for 1 in the second over. In the very next over, Masabata Klaas dismissed Harleen Deol for 4. India were reduced to 22/2 after just three overs.
Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana steadied the innings. They took India to 50 runs in the seventh over. However, Annerie Dercksen removed Harmanpreet on the final ball of the over. She scored a quick 28 off 20 balls. India stood at 50/3 after seven overs.
Jemimah and Mandhana Take Control
Jemimah Rodrigues joined Mandhana at the crease. Together, they batted patiently and pushed India to 87/3 after 14 overs. Jemimah had reached 28* off 20 balls while Mandhana was on 26* from 34.
Rodrigues brought up her half-century in the 21st over, taking just 40 balls. Mandhana followed, reaching her fifty in the 23rd over off 61 balls. However, Chloe Tryon dismissed her in the 24th over for 51 runs off 60 balls. Deepti Sharma then joined Rodrigues. India moved to 140/4 after 24 overs.
Rodrigues and Deepti Dominate Middle Overs
Deepti started aggressively. She hit consecutive boundaries off Tryon in the 28th over, bringing India’s total past 150. At the 30-over mark, India reached 169/4, with Jemimah on 62 and Deepti on 21.
By the 34th over, the duo added a 50-run partnership. A boundary from Jemimah took India to 190/4.
Big Finish by India
Rodrigues scored her second ODI century and eventually made 123 off 101 balls. She and Deepti added a crucial 122-run stand. Deepti played a brilliant knock of 93 off 84 balls. She got out in the final over. Richa Ghosh provided fireworks at the end, scoring 20 from just 12 balls. India posted a massive 337/9 in 50 overs.
Rodrigues’ hundred was the third-fastest by an Indian woman in ODIs. She played with superb timing and aggressive strokeplay. South Africa’s bowling struggled, especially in the absence of regular captain Laura Wolvaardt. Only Tryon and Sune Luus kept things somewhat tight, while Mlaba conceded 71 runs in her 10 overs.
Slow Start of South Africa
India struck early with the ball too. Amanjot Kaur dismissed Lara Goodall in the second over. South Africa were 7/1. Maine Smit and Tazmin Brits tried to rebuild, and the team reached 31/1 in six overs.
Smit and Brits added 63 for the second wicket. But Brits, after scoring 26, pulled Amanjot to midwicket. Deepti then bowled Smit, and the pressure increased. From the 20th over, South Africa needed over eight runs per over.
Middle-Order Fightback
Dercksen and Shangase revived hopes with a 70-run partnership off 66 balls. But Shangase got out trying to clear the boundary on 36. Jafta came in at No. 6 and played aggressively. Still, India remained calm.
Mandhana surprisingly came on to bowl. Though she gave eight runs in her first over, she kept things under control. Sree Charani later removed Jafta LBW. South Africa were 188/5 and needed 150 more from 15 overs.
Dercksen’s Valiant Effort Ends
Dercksen kept fighting. She scored her second consecutive half-century and surpassed her previous best by 20 runs. However, she struggled with back pain and got out after the second treatment. Amanjot dismissed her, ending a 72-run stand with Tryon.
Tryon continued attacking. She scored her 12th ODI fifty with a strike rate of 161.53. Her efforts kept South Africa in the hunt.
Final Overs Drama
South Africa needed 39 off the last two overs. But umpires stopped play for bad light with the score at 299/6. The DLS par score was 314. Tryon and de Klerk appeared unhappy with the decision. Fifteen minutes later, play resumed.
They scored 12 runs in the 49th over, leaving 27 needed off the final six balls. Tryon got bowled on the first ball. South Africa fell short by 23 runs.