India Women’s familiar frailties resurfaced as they slumped to a comprehensive eight-wicket defeat in the second T20I against South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban, on Sunday.
The loss handed the hosts a 2-0 lead in the five-match series and exposed India’s persistent middle-order struggles once again. Having faltered in the opener due to a shaky middle order, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side failed to correct course. Despite acknowledging the issue earlier, India’s batting unit suffered another dramatic collapse, raising concerns ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Bright start undone by collapse
Asked to bat first, India made a brisk start with Smriti Mandhana looking in fine touch before falling early to Chloe Tryon. Jemimah Rodrigues followed soon after, but Shafali Verma kept the momentum going in her 100th T20I, scoring a fluent 57 off 38 balls.
Debutant Anushka Sharma impressed with a composed 28, helping India reach 99 for two in 12.3 overs. However, her dismissal triggered a stunning collapse. India lost seven wickets for just 33 runs, with Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, and Richa Ghosh all failing to contribute.
A late cameo from Arundhati Reddy pushed India to 147, but the total always looked below par. Tryon and Tumi Sekhukhune starred with three wickets each to derail India’s innings.
South Africa cruise with ease
In reply, South Africa made light work of the chase. Openers Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus put on a commanding 106-run stand, taking the game away from India inside the powerplay itself.
Wolvaardt continued her fine form with a quickfire 54, while Luus anchored the innings with a steady 57. Even after their dismissals, Tazmin Brits and Annerie Dercksen ensured there were no late hiccups as the hosts chased down the target comfortably.
Shreyanka Patil was the pick of the Indian bowlers with two wickets, but the overall performance highlighted India’s ongoing issues with both consistency and finishing. With the third T20I set to be played in Johannesburg on April 22, India will need urgent course correction to stay alive in the series.
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