IND-W Vs SA-W Women T20 World Cup 2024 – India shines in warm-up. In preparation for the much-anticipated Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, the Indian women’s cricket team showcased their dominance in a warm-up match against South Africa, registering a 28-run victory. The match took place at the prestigious ICC Academy in Dubai, UAE. The performance of India’s spinners and the contributions of players like Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma were instrumental in securing this win, which sets the stage for an exciting World Cup campaign.
First Innings: India Sets a Competitive Target
After winning the toss, South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt chose to field first, sending India to bat. India, ranked world No. 3, posted a competitive total of 144/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Though the Indian team experienced a few early hiccups, the middle-order batting stabilized the innings. Richa Ghosh, with a dynamic 36 off 25 balls, was the top scorer, lifting India to a respectable total. Her partnership with Deepti Sharma, who contributed 35 not out off 29 balls, proved pivotal in accelerating the score during the death overs. The South African bowling attack was led by Ayabonga Khaka, who displayed brilliant bowling figures of 5/25, playing a key role in limiting India’s progress.
Early Struggles for India
India faced an early blow when opener Shafali Verma was dismissed for a two-ball duck. The early dismissals of captain Harmanpreet Kaur (10 off 11) and Smriti Mandhana (21 off 22) compounded the pressure on India. However, the middle-order duo of Jemimah Rodrigues (30 off 26) and Richa Ghosh played a critical role in stabilizing the innings.
The Ghosh-Sharma Partnership
With India in a precarious position at 69/4 in 11 overs, Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma took charge. Their partnership of 77 runs off the last nine overs was instrumental in pulling India out of trouble. Ghosh hit two sixes during her aggressive knock, and Deepti played a composed innings, ensuring India finished on a strong note with a competitive total. Their efforts allowed India to regain momentum, especially in the final overs, where they added 16 runs in the 19th over alone.
South Africa’s Response
Chasing 145 for victory, South Africa had a steady start with their openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits scoring 31/0 in the powerplay. However, India’s spin bowlers proved too strong, applying immense pressure on the South African batting line-up. Asha Sobhana was the pick of the bowlers with 2/21, and Deepti Sharma complemented her with 1/2 in a spell of exceptional bowling.
The breakthrough came in the seventh over when Sobhana dismissed Tazmin Brits (22 off 25), and soon after, Deepti Sharma took the wicket of Anneke Bosch (3 off 8), further denting South Africa’s chase. Laura Wolvaardt, who top-scored for South Africa with 29 off 26, was dismissed by Shreyanka Patil (1/21), leaving South Africa in a difficult position at 56/3.
Resistance from South Africa Middle Order
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, South Africa’s middle order, led by Chloe Tryon (24 off 20) and Annerie Dercksen (21 off 16), offered some resistance. However, the mounting run rate pressure and tight bowling from India, particularly from Harmanpreet Kaur (1/2) and Shafali Verma (1/13), made it difficult for the South Africans to recover. They eventually finished their innings at 116/6, falling short by 28 runs.
Key Players Who Shined in the Match
Richa Ghosh: The Game Changer
Richa Ghosh’s blistering knock of 36 off 25 balls was the highlight of India’s batting. Her powerful hitting, including two sixes, came at a crucial time when India needed to boost the run rate. She played a significant role in lifting India’s total, ensuring they crossed the 140-run mark, which proved to be too much for South Africa.
Deepti Sharma: The All-Rounder’s Contribution
Deepti Sharma’s performance with both the bat and ball was vital for India’s win. Her unbeaten 35 off 29 balls provided stability in the middle overs, while her spell of 1/2 with the ball applied pressure on South Africa’s batters. Her all-round abilities made her one of the standout players in this match.
Ayabonga Khaka: The South African Star
Despite South Africa’s loss, Ayabonga Khaka stood out with her brilliant bowling, taking a five-wicket haul (5/25) and restricting India’s progress in the early and death overs. Her efforts ensured that India couldn’t run away with the game, keeping South Africa in the contest throughout the first innings.
India’s Dominance in Warm-Up Matches
This victory marked India’s second consecutive win in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up matches, following their win over the West Indies. In the previous game, India had defeated the West Indies by 20 runs, with Jemimah Rodrigues scoring a half-century and Pooja Vastrakar taking a three-wicket haul.
South Africa’s Struggles Ahead of the Tournament
For South Africa, this was a disappointing outcome, especially after their loss to New Zealand in the first warm-up match, where they were bowled out for a mere 92 runs. The Proteas, who finished as the runners-up in the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup, are yet to find their rhythm ahead of the tournament’s group stage.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024
Both India and South Africa are now gearing up for the group stage of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, which begins on October 3. India, placed in Group A, will face tough competition from teams like Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. Their first group match is against New Zealand on October 4. On the other hand, South Africa, part of Group B, will take on England, Scotland, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
Fan Discontent Over Lack of Streaming for Warm-Up Matches
Despite the excitement surrounding the warm-up matches, fans have expressed their dissatisfaction with the ICC for not providing live streaming or comprehensive coverage of the games. Social media platforms were abuzz with complaints, as cricket enthusiasts were unable to watch India’s performance against South Africa live.
The Importance of Warm-Up Matches for Tournament Success
Warm-up matches like these serve as a critical preparation tool for teams ahead of major tournaments like the Women’s T20 World Cup. They provide an opportunity to fine-tune strategies, assess player form, and acclimatize to match conditions. For India, these back-to-back victories will undoubtedly boost the team’s confidence as they head into the tournament.
IND-W vs SA-W Dream11 Predictions and Fantasy Cricket Tips
For fantasy cricket enthusiasts, the upcoming matches in the Women’s T20 World Cup present an exciting opportunity. Players to watch out for in the India vs South Africa game include Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, Laura Wolvaardt, and Ayabonga Khaka, all of whom have displayed remarkable form in the warm-up matches.
Dream11 Top Picks
- Richa Ghosh: A must-have in any fantasy team, her consistent batting performances and ability to score quick runs make her a valuable asset.
- Deepti Sharma: With her all-round skills, Sharma is a top pick for both bowling and batting categories.
- Laura Wolvaardt: The South African captain is a reliable run-scorer and will be pivotal for South Africa’s success in the tournament.
Conclusion
The IND-W vs SA-W warm-up match has provided cricket fans with a glimpse of what to expect from these two teams in the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. India’s strong all-round performance, coupled with their spin magic, sets them up as one of the favorites in the tournament. On the other hand, South Africa will need to regroup and address their weaknesses, especially in handling pressure situations. As the tournament kicks off, the cricketing world eagerly awaits the thrilling contests that lie ahead.
