India women's team suffered loss to South African women's team in the final of the T20I tri-series on Thursday. After winning the toss and coming to bat first India managed to put a target of jus 110 runs. South Africa chased it with 2 overs to spare as they thrashed the women in blue by five wickets.
Coming to chase, batter Chloe Tryon (57 not out off 32 balls) counter-attacked, hitting six boundaries and two sixes. What made Tryon's innings extra special was the degree of difficulty all other batters encountered due to the slow track.
India bowlers Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, and Rajeshwari Gayakwad tried their best to defend the target but their efforts went in vain even though South Africa were reduced to 66/ 5 at beginning of the 14th over.
Earlier, Harleen Deol's 46 off 56 deliveries on a slow track guided India to register 109 despite losing four wickets. Smriti Mandhana was dismissed for nought and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur scored 21 off 22 balls.
Opener Jemimah Rodrigues (11 off 18 balls) couldn't get off the blocks against Mlaba and seasoned pacer Shabnim Ismail (0/9 in 3 overs). Both Rodrigues and Harmanpreet were out when they were beaten by an away turn from Mlaba and leg-spinner Sune Luus with keeper Sinalo Jafta effecting smart stumping.
India's boundary count in 20 overs was just nine and the total dot ball count was 57.
Before the final, India had won three matches and South Africa had won two matches in order to make it to the summit clash. On the other hand, West Indies failed to register a single victory and was out of the contention to win the trophy.
"It will take two three days but it will get fine. You have to enjoy yourself whatever the situation and we did that. Plenty of positives in the series, we didnt get over the line but our bowlers bowled very well," India captain Harpanpreet Singh said.
"Thank you so much, super proud of the girls, just the momentum we needed going into the World Cup. Out an out a spinning wicket, playing in India again but an outstanding innings from Chloe," South Africa captain Sune Luus said.
The Indian women's team will aim to win the T20 World Cup title starting from the 10th of February with India locking horns with Pakistan in their opening match on the 12th of February.
