NEW DELHI: India will be anxious to bring the series to a suitable finish of a 3-0 margin during the third and final ODI in Bengaluru on Sunday. They have been able to tame the many hurdles thrown at them by South Africa thus far.
India now lead by 2-0, but this overwhelming advantage has not come without its share of hardships.
The Indian hitters had to rally from a dangerous 99 for five in the opening game to reach a score of more than 260. The home team's bowlers also did a good job of defending the target, according to PTI.
However, in the second game, on a calm wicket, it was the Indian bowlers' turn to master the test that centurions Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp had put them through.
They took a lot of blows, but they remained composed until the very last ball of the game to secure the victory.
But Smriti Mandhana's outstanding batting, which saw her score 117 and 136 in these two games, was what united them.
As a result, Mandhana tied Mithali Raj's record of seven one-day hundreds and became the first Indian woman batter to register two hundreds in a row in ODIs.
Therefore, the vice captain of India would be keen to end the ODI series with a bang before starting the one-off Test in Chennai on June 28.
The management may have also been greatly pleased with captain Harmanpreet Kaur's timely return to form, as he scored 103 off 88 balls in the second game.
The think tank, however, would be hoping to see opener Shafali Verma, whose run of poor scores has now reached eight games, have a meaningful performance.
India may also offer a chance to fringe players like bowlers Shreyanka Patil, Saika Ishaque, and top-order batsman Priya Punia, since that the series is already secured.
However, South Africa will be eager to win the game and earn two points at the ICC Women's ODI Championship, as it will be essential to their qualification for the 50-over World Cup in 2025.
Naturally, victory will help boost confidence before the Test and the subsequent Twenty20 International series.
But in order to do it, the visitors' bowlers and batters must work together cohesively.
Teams (from):
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Uma Chetry (WK), Dayalan Hemalatha, Radha Yadav, Asha Sobhana, Shreyanka Patil, Saika Ishaque, Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Priya Punia
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Eliz-Mari Marz, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukune, Nondumiso Shangase, Delmi Tucker
