India started their ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup 2023 campaign on an exemplary note, as they secured a comprehensive seven-wicket win over South Africa here at the Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Saturday, 14 January. Skipper Shafali Verma led the team from the front, while the star of the show was the promising opening batter, Shweta Sehrawat.
Chasing a big total of 167 runs, India needed to play the big shots from the first over, and they did exactly that. The pair of Verma and Sehrawat scored 77 runs in the first seven overs, before the former lost her wicket to Miane Smit.
Following her departure, Gongadi Trisha could not play a role bigger than a cameo, as she was dismissed on 15.
However, the twin dismissals could not deter Sehrawat from her path, who was resilient enough to remain unbeaten and score a match-winning 92 runs from 57 deliveries, which included as many as 20 boundaries.
India Restricted South Africa to 166 After a Poor Start
Earlier, South Africa scored 166/5 after opting to bat first. The hosts set the tone right from the beginning, as Shabman MD’s first over yielded 20 runs. The same flow continued for the next few overs, until India got their first breakthrough in the last delivery of the fourth over, when Sonam Yadav got the better of Elandri Rensburg.
Shafali Verma then maintained the pressure on the hosts by getting the wicket of Olhule Siyo in the next over, but Kayla Reyneke and Simole Lourens’ third-wicket stand helped Proteas regain complete control of the game.
The duo added 28 runs, while after Reyneke’s dismissal, Lourens continued the onslaught with Madison Landsman to support her. The former amassed 61 runs in 44 deliveries, which included nine fours and a six, while the latter scored 32 runs in only 17 deliveries.
That being said, India did manage to reduce the scoring rate during the last few overs. From Shafali Verma’s team, the skipper herself was the most influential bowler, picking up 2 wickets by conceding 31 runs in her four overs.
Following this win, India are currently occupying the top place in the Group D standings. They will now take on the United Arab Emirates on Monday, 16 January, at the same venue.
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