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India's Batting Collapse Hands South Africa Edge in 2nd WT20I

A sensational half-century by Shafali Verma in her milestone 100th T20I was the lone highlight in an otherwise dramatic Indian batting collapse. From a comfortable 99/3, India lost their last seven wickets for just 33 runs to be bowled out for 147. South African bowlers Tumi Sekhukhune and Chloe Tryon were instrumental, each taking three wickets to trigger the meltdown. The Proteas now require 148 runs to win the match and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Key Points: India Collapse to 147 vs SA in 2nd WT20I Despite Shafali 50

  • Shafali's 50 in 100th T20I
  • India lose 7/33 in collapse
  • SA need 148 to lead series 2-0
  • Tryon, Sekhukhune take 3 wickets each
2 min read

2nd WT20I: Batting meltdown results in India skittled out for 147 despite Shafali's fifty

Shafali Verma's 50 in her 100th T20I overshadowed by a dramatic Indian batting collapse as South Africa bowl them out for 147 in Durban.

"From a position of relative comfort at 99/3, India lost their last seven wickets for just 33 runs - Match Report"

Durban, April 19

A sensational half-century by opener Shafali Verma in her 100th T20I game was offset by a dramatic batting collapse as India were bundled out for a modest 147 in exactly 20 overs against South Africa in the second T20I at the Kingsmead on Sunday.

From a position of relative comfort at 99/3, India lost their last seven wickets for just 33 runs to end at a below-par total. Their batting implosion handed the momentum back to the Proteas, who now require 148 runs to win and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Shafali hit 57 off 38 balls and was sensational in hitting seven fours and two sixes and be the lone bright spot in an otherwise disappointing batting display. The middle order minus debutant Anushka Sharma, who struggled to hit 28 on a slow pitch, never got going to boost India to a big total.

For South Africa, Tumi Sekhukhune and Chloe Tryon picked excellent three-fors, and used the slower balls and good length area to great effect. Shafali started with typical aggression, smoking Tumi Sekhukhune for a six in the very first over. Her Smriti Mandhana (12) looked fluent with three boundaries off Ayabonga Khaka, before falling to Chloe while attempting a sweep.

After Jemimah Rodrigues fell cheaply to Chloe, Anushka joined Shafali to steady the ship with a 53-run stand. However, Anushka struggled for rhythm on a slowing pitch, managing a sluggish 28 off 31 balls, even as Shafali, dropped on 28, got her 15th T20I fifty off 31 balls.

Once the partnership was broken in the 13th over when Anushka holed out to deep mid-wicket off Chloe, the floodgates opened for South Africa. Shafali followed shortly after, caught brilliantly by a diving Nadine de Klerk at long-off.

The middle and lower order offered little resistance against the disciplined South African attack. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (12) was run out due to a sharp piece of glovework by keeper Sinalo Jafta, while Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh and Shreyanka Patil perished in quick succession.

Some late boundaries from Sree Charani and Arundhati Reddy helped India cross the 140-mark before the latter was run out on the final ball to bring a disappointing batting effort from the visitors to an end

Brief Scores: India 147 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 57, Anushka Sharma 28; Chloe Tryon 3-22, Tumi Sekhukhune 3-31) against South Africa

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Feel so bad for Shafali. She played a gem of an innings and the rest just collapsed around her. Anushka's debut was tough on a slow pitch, but 28 off 31 balls put pressure back on us. The lower order has to contribute more, can't rely on top 3 every time.
D
David E
Watching from the UK. The South African bowlers were very clever with their changes of pace. The Indian batters seemed to have no plan B once the pitch slowed down. They need to work on playing spin and slower balls in the middle overs.
S
Sneha F
Harmanpreet's run out was the turning point. The captain has to be more aware. After that, it was like a house of cards. We have the talent, but the temperament in pressure situations is missing. Bowling needs to be exceptional now to defend this.
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Rahul R
With all due respect to the team, this is a pattern now. We start well and then have a massive collapse. The coaching staff needs to address this mental block. 147 is not enough on most grounds, unless our bowlers perform a miracle. 💪
K
Kavya N
Congratulations to Shafali on her 100th T20I and a fighting fifty! Sad that the team couldn't back her up. The fielding by SA was top class too, that catch to dismiss Shafali was stunning. Hope the girls come back stronger in the next game!

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