Cricket
SA-W vs IND-W 2nd T20I: South Africa beat India by 8 wickets
Shafali Verma’s 57 in vain as hosts chase down 148 comfortably in Durban.
Shafali Verma scored an unbeaten 69 to help India beat Sri Lanka (Photo credit: BCCI Women/Twitter)
India’s women’s cricket team suffered an eight-wicket defeat to South Africa in the second T20I of the five-match series at Kingsmead, Durban, on Sunday, falling 2-0 behind in the series.
Chasing a target of 148, South Africa completed the run chase in 17.1 overs, powered by strong performances from Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus. Wolvaardt scored 54 off 34 balls, while Luus added 57 off 46, as the hosts dominated the chase from the outset.
The opening pair set the tone early, racing to 66 without loss in the powerplay and extending their partnership to 92 by the halfway stage. Wolvaardt brought up her half-century before being dismissed in the 12th over, but South Africa remained in control and closed out the match comfortably.
Shafali’s fifty not enough as India collapse late
Earlier, India posted 147 after being put in to bat. Shafali Verma led the scoring with a 57 off 38 balls, anchoring the innings with an aggressive approach in the powerplay.
She shared a crucial 53-run partnership with Anushka Sharma after early wickets, helping India recover to 99/3. However, the momentum shifted after Shafali’s dismissal, triggering a collapse in the latter stages.
India lost wickets at regular intervals, including captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who was run out late in the innings. The visitors were eventually bowled out for 147.
For South Africa, Tumi Sekhukhune and Chloe Tryon were the standout bowlers, picking up three wickets each.
With this win, South Africa have taken a 2-0 lead in the series. India will look to respond in the third T20I, scheduled to be played in Johannesburg on Wednesday.