*You know that kind of cricket match where the momentum swings like a pendulum and just when you think it’s over, boom—another twist? That’s exactly what unfolded in Colombo as India edged out South Africa by 15 runs in the second game of the tri-series. Fans like Bpexch App were on the edge of their seats, witnessing every thrilling moment till the very last ball.
Let’s break it down—raw, real, and with a touch of that behind-the-scenes insight you wish commentators would give you.
A Steady Start with a Hint of Fire
India, having won the toss, decided to bat first. And hey, why not? When you’ve got a solid opening pair like Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, the odds are in your favor.
Mandhana took her time—looked around, gauged the pitch, and then casually cracked two consecutive boundaries like she owned the turf. Rawal, on the other hand, was all business from the get-go. The South African pacers—Masabata Klaas and Ayabonga Khaka—tried to keep things tight early on. They even managed a couple of maidens. But cricket is funny like that; just when you think the pressure’s building, it all comes undone with a single over.
Cue Sune Luus, South Africa’s off-spinner, and cue the shift. India’s batters saw her as a release valve, and suddenly the scoreboard was ticking faster. India reached 43 for 0 after the PowerPlay—not blazing, but safe, steady, and tactical.
A Mid-Innings Twist: Runs, Wickets, and… Wides?
Post Power Play, the tempo changed. There were tighter overs, a near run-out, and a few quiet moments. By the first drinks break, India sat at 71 for 0. Calm before the storm?
Absolutely.
Soon after, Mandhana was dismissed—strangled down the leg side, the sort of dismissal that leaves batters shaking their heads in disbelief. But just when South Africa thought they had a foot in the door, Annerie Dercksen bowled a nightmare over—five wides, a six from Rawal, and 19 runs in total.
Rawal reached her fifth consecutive ODI fifty. Talk about consistency.
The Middle Order Does Its Job… Mostly
Harleen Deol and Rawal built a sharp 68-run stand. Quick singles, gaps found, and the occasional boundary. But just as India looked ready to press the gas hard, Nonkululeko Mlaba struck—first Rawal, then Deol. Both bowled. Both dismissals felt like minor earthquakes in the Indian camp.
Enter Jemimah Rodrigues, the kind of player who can shift gears without warning. She punched out a rapid 41 from just 32 balls, supported quietly by Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian skipper with ice in her veins.
And then came Richa Ghosh—sassy, fearless, and brilliant in the death overs. Her 24 off 14 balls (complete with three boundaries and a six) lifted India to a robust total of 276/6. Not a mountain, but certainly not a molehill either.
South Africa’s Opening Blitz: Brits & Wolvaardt Blaze Away
The chase started like a dream for South Africa.
Tazmin Brits was in beast mode. Aggressive yet calculated, she plundered boundaries at will, even smoking a six in the PowerPlay. Laura Wolvaardt, calm and composed, played the anchor. The opening stand was worth 140. Chasing 277? Suddenly, it looked like a cakewalk.
For a while, it felt like South Africa was writing their own highlight reel. Brits reached her hundred—a gritty, sweaty, spectacular one—but had to retire hurt on 108, cramped and exhausted.
And that, my friends, was the game-changer.
When Pressure Builds, Chaos Follows
With Brits off the field, India sensed blood. The energy shifted.
Deepti Sharma got Wolvaardt LBW. Then Sneh Rana showed up like she’d read the script beforehand. Her figures—5 for 43—don’t just tell a story, they scream it.
She started picking apart the middle order. One wicket. Then another. And another. Each dismissal like another brick falling from South Africa’s foundation. Meanwhile, India’s fielding tightened, the bowlers hustled, and suddenly, South Africa’s batters—new to the crease—were battling both scoreboard pressure and nerves.
Even Annerie Dercksen and Chloe Tryon, who tried to fight back with aggressive strokes, couldn’t sustain the momentum. Dercksen fell to Rana. Brits returned but was bowled almost immediately—heartbreaking, honestly. That image of her walking off—twice in one innings—pretty much summed up the kind of rollercoaster this match was.
Wrapping it Up: Tight Finish, Huge Relief
With 41 needed off 30 balls, South Africa still had a sniff. But India’s bowlers—Rana, Arundhati Reddy, and Kashvee Gautam—shut that door with precision.
It wasn’t flawless. There were dropped chances, missed run-outs, and moments of genuine panic. But when Arundhati rattled the stumps for the final wicket, the Indian squad erupted. Relief. Joy. Vindication.
So, What Made the Difference?
It wasn’t just one moment—it was a collage of them.
- Rana’s five-for, yes.
- Rawal’s 78? Absolutely.
- Brits’ ton? Incredible, but bittersweet.
- Jemimah and Richa’s quickfire knocks? Game-changing.
But if we’re honest, what really turned it around was India’s ability to stay in the fight—never completely in control, but never entirely out either. That kind of grit doesn’t show up on the scorecard, but it wins matches.
To read more blog: Shadab Leads Islamabad United’s Victory March
Final Thoughts: A Game Worth Remembering
This wasn’t just a win—it was a character test. For both teams.
South Africa played some of their best cricket up top but fell prey to pressure and a relentless Indian bowling attack. India, on the other hand, showed that sometimes, just hanging in long enough gives you the opening you need.
And for us fans? It was pure cricketing joy. High scores, centuries, five-fors, a retirement hurt, and a finish that kept you guessing until the last over.
Seriously, what more could you want?
Brief Scores Recap:
India 276/6 (50 overs): Pratika Rawal 78, Jemimah Rodrigues 41; Nonkululeko Mlaba 2-55
South Africa 261 (49.2 overs): Tazmin Brits 109, Laura Wolvaardt 43; Sneh Rana 5-43
Result: India won by 15 runs.
