EAST LONDON: A superb all-round performance from the experienced Deepti Sharma (33 runs & 330) and an unbeaten 30-ball 41 on debut by Amanjot Kaur helped India beat South Africa by 27 runs and make a winning start in the opening match of the South Africa Women's T20I Tri-Series.
India were in deep trouble at 69/5 in the 12th over when Deepti Sharma and Amanjot came together for a quick-fire partnership of 76 runs for the sixth wicket that helped India post a competitive total of 147/6 in their 20 overs after South Africa Women won the toss and elected to field first. Skipper
Deepti blazed to 33 off 23 balls, hitting one four and one six while Amanjot hammered seven fours in her 41 not out after opener Yastika Bhatia scored 35 off 34 deliveries to help India Women after South Africa bowlers Nonkululeko Mlaba (2-15, Marizanne Kapp (1-30) and Ayabonga Khaka caused early trouble.
Deepti came to the fore once again during South Africa's reply as she claimed three wickets for 30 runs as South Africa were soon reduced to 64/5 in the 12th over. They recovered a bit but could manage only 120/9 in 20 overs as they lost the tri-series opener by 27 runs.
Devika Vaidya claimed 2-19 off three overs while Rajeshwari Gayakwad (1-11), Sneh Rana (1-12) and Radha Yadav (1-17) were the other successful Indian bowlers in the match with the Indian spinners using the dry, slow surface in hot and humid conditions to their advantage to stifle South Africa innings.
Skipper Sune Luus top scored for South Africa Women with a 30-ball 29.
Brief scores India Women 147/6 in 20 overs (Yastika Bhatia 35, Deepti Sharma 33, Amanjot Kaur 41 not out; Nonkululeko Mlaba 2-15) beat South Africa Woman 120/9 in 20 overs (Sune Luus 29; Deepti Sharma 3-30, Devika Vaidya 2-19) by 27 runs.
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