IND-W vs SA-W Highlights – India dominates warm-up match 2024. The Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 has brought cricket fans to the edge of their seats, and the excitement only continues to build as teams engage in warm-up matches. On October 1, 2024, India and South Africa faced off in a much-anticipated warm-up match in Dubai, with India securing a 28-run victory over South Africa. The match offered key insights into both teams’ form and showcased India’s resilience, depth in bowling, and strategic brilliance as they prepare for the upcoming tournament. This article delves into the game’s key highlights, player performances, and how both teams are shaping up for the World Cup.
Key Updates from the Warm-up Match
- Date & Venue: October 1, 2024, in Dubai
- Toss: South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first.
- Match Format: Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Warm-up
- Final Score: India Women (144/7 in 20 overs) defeated South Africa Women (116/6 in 20 overs) by 28 runs.
- Top Players:
- India: Richa Ghosh (36 off 25), Deepti Sharma (35 not out), Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana.
- South Africa: Ayabonga Khaka (5/25), Laura Wolvaardt (29 off 26), Chloe Tryon (24 off 16).
The Toss and Team Lineups
South Africa opted to bowl first after winning the toss, a decision that reflected their strategy of chasing down a target on a pitch that has favored batters under lights. Ayabonga Khaka led the bowling attack for South Africa, while India’s Harmanpreet Kaur had the task of setting up a strong batting performance.
India’s lineup was packed with stars like Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, and Richa Ghosh, while South Africa featured prominent players such as Laura Wolvaardt, Sune Luus, and Chloe Tryon. Both teams looked eager to experiment with combinations ahead of the main tournament.
India’s Innings
India’s innings began on a shaky note as opener Shafali Verma was dismissed for a duck, clean bowled by the brilliant Ayabonga Khaka in the very first over. The early breakthrough gave South Africa a perfect start, and India found themselves on the back foot when skipper Harmanpreet Kaur followed suit, departing for just 4 runs off 8 balls.
At 20/2 within four overs, it was left to Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues to rebuild the innings. The pair added some stability, forming a 40-run partnership before Mandhana was dismissed for 21 off 22 balls. Jemimah Rodrigues soon followed after scoring a brisk 30 off 26 deliveries, leaving India in a precarious position at 69/4.
However, the turning point came when Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh took control of the middle order. Their partnership brought a much-needed surge of runs. Richa’s aggressive strokeplay was the highlight, as she smashed a six off Nonkululeko Mlaba and collected boundaries with ease. Deepti anchored the innings while Richa played the aggressor, their 50-run stand boosting India’s score significantly. India ended their innings with 144/7, a respectable total, given the early setbacks.
South Africa’s Bowling Performance
South Africa’s bowling was a mixed bag, with standout performances and some areas of concern. Ayabonga Khaka was undoubtedly the star for South Africa, picking up a remarkable five-wicket haul. She dismissed India’s top batters and maintained a disciplined line and length throughout her four overs. Khaka’s final over was particularly impressive, as she claimed three wickets and gave away just seven runs, restricting India from scoring freely in the death overs.
However, the rest of the South African bowling attack struggled to match Khaka’s precision. Nonkululeko Mlaba and Nadine de Klerk provided some support but were unable to apply sustained pressure on India’s middle order. South Africa’s fielding also let them down on occasion, as dropped catches and missed run-out opportunities allowed India to recover from their early losses.
South Africa’s Chase
Chasing a target of 145, South Africa’s openers, Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, got off to a cautious start. While they played steadily, they were unable to accelerate during the powerplay, managing just 31/0 after six overs. The disciplined Indian bowling attack, led by Renuka Singh Thakur, kept things tight, ensuring that the South African batters couldn’t break free.
The breakthrough came in the seventh over when Asha Sobhana dismissed Tazmin Brits for 22 off 25 balls. This opened the floodgates, as South Africa quickly lost wickets in succession. Anneke Bosch was the next to go, falling to Deepti Sharma for a mere 3 runs. The Indian bowlers, including Shreyanka Patil, who dismissed the dangerous Laura Wolvaardt for 29, kept South Africa under constant pressure.
India’s Bowling Masterclass
India’s bowling was the highlight of the match, with Asha Sobhana and Shreyanka Patil delivering crucial breakthroughs at regular intervals. Sobhana’s two wickets and Harmanpreet Kaur’s wicket of Nadine de Klerk further dented South Africa’s chase. The spinners, led by Radha Yadav, maintained a tight grip on the scoring rate, while the pacers, Renuka Singh and Shreyanka Patil, backed them up with economical overs.
Despite a valiant effort by Chloe Tryon (24 off 16 balls), South Africa’s middle and lower order couldn’t keep up with the required run rate, and they finished their innings at 116/6, falling 28 runs short of the target.
Key Performers of the Match
- Richa Ghosh (IND): Richa’s blistering knock of 36 off 25 balls, including a six and three boundaries, was instrumental in lifting India to a competitive total. Her ability to accelerate in the death overs helped India recover from a shaky start.
- Deepti Sharma (IND): Deepti’s all-round performance, scoring 35 not out and picking up a crucial wicket, provided India with much-needed stability and ensured a comfortable finish with the bat.
- Ayabonga Khaka (SA): Khaka’s 5/25 was one of the best bowling performances in the warm-up matches. Her disciplined bowling and ability to take crucial wickets kept South Africa in the game.
- Asha Sobhana (IND): Asha’s two wickets at key moments in the match helped derail South Africa’s chase and showcased India’s depth in bowling.
What the Victory Means for India
India’s commanding win against South Africa in this warm-up match not only boosts their confidence but also sets the tone for their upcoming campaign in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. With back-to-back victories in the warm-up games, India has shown that their bowling attack, led by both spin and pace, is a force to be reckoned with.
The key takeaway for India is the resilience shown by the middle order, particularly Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma, who have proven their ability to handle pressure situations. While India’s top order did falter in this game, their lower order’s ability to stabilize the innings and finish strong will give them confidence heading into the main tournament.
South Africa’s Concerns Going Forward
On the other hand, South Africa will need to address their batting issues before their opening match on October 4, 2024. While Ayabonga Khaka‘s bowling performance is a huge positive, the lack of momentum in the batting lineup and failure to accelerate at key moments could prove costly in the tournament.
South Africa’s inability to chase down modest totals in both their warm-up games indicates a need for better partnerships in the middle order and a more aggressive approach in the powerplay. They will need to regroup quickly if they hope to make an impact in the tournament.
Conclusion
India’s 28-run victory over South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up match was a testament to their all-round abilities. Despite early setbacks, India showed their depth in both batting and bowling. With key contributions from Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, and the entire bowling unit, India looks well-prepared for the challenges ahead. South Africa, meanwhile, will need to revisit their strategy, especially in their batting department, to ensure a stronger showing in the main event. As the teams gear up for the World Cup, fans can expect thrilling encounters as the best of women’s cricket takes the center stage.
