Shikha Pandey sets up India’s win

LATE FLOURISH: With the Indian bowlers bowling a tigh line, it was left to Chloe Tryon to biff a few shots and lend some respectabliity to the South African total. Photo: G.P. Sampath Kumar

Shikha Pandey (59 and three for 19) played a pivotal role as India defeated South Africa by six wickets in the second ODI of the three-match series at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Wednesday night, levelling the series at 1-1.

Chasing South Africa’s 186 for eight, Poonam Raut (47) initially guided India’s pursuit that finished at 187 for four in 44.4 overs.

The opener punished Marizanne Kapp on either side of the pitch and, with partner Smriti Mandhana remaining steady, a base was built.

Cracks, however, set in when Smriti was caught inside the circle by Sunette Loubser. In the middle overs, Mithali Raj and Poonam fell within a span of 21 deliveries. From 73 for three in 24.4 overs, Shikha and Harmanpreet Kaur put on match-winning 89-run fourth-wicket partnership.

Shikha hoisted Loubser and when Kapp returned greeted her with a late cut and a cover drive to ease the pressure. Kapp did scalp Shikha but by then the India was well on the way.

Earlier, Shikha held centre-stage as her unchanged spell (10-2-19-3) from the Pavilion End suffocated the visitors.

After Mithali elected to field, opener Trisha Chetty was trapped in front off Jhulan Goswami, who had earlier dropped her at first slip. Shikha then dismissed Lizelle Lee and castled Nadine Moodley and Kapp.

Mignon du Preez (36) and Dane van Niekerk added 54 runs for the fifth wicket. Once du Preez was run out, India was back in the contest. The tail, led by Chloe Tryon (49 n.o.) biffed a few, and the visitors got to a respectable score.

The scores:South Africa: Lizelle Lee lbw b Shikha Pandey 21 (34b, 4x4) , Trisha Chetty lbw b Jhulan Goswami 16 (29b, 2x4) , Nadine Moodley b Shikha 3 (11b) , Mignon du Preez run out 36 (70b, 4x4) , Marizanne Kapp b Shikha 9 (26b, 1x4) , Dane van Niekerk b Ekta Bisht 28 (67b, 3x4) , Chloe Tryon (not out) 49 (34b, 4x4, 1x6) , Sunette Loubser lbw b Ekta 7 (15b) , Yolani Fourie c Shikha b Ekta 10 (11b, 2x4) , Marcia Letsoalo (not out) 0 (3b) , Extras (lb-6, w-1) 7; Total (for eight wkts., in 50 overs) 186.

Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-40, 3-45, 4-63, 5-117, 6-125, 7-146, 8-160.

India bowling: Jhulan Goswami 10-2-28-1, Shubhlakshmi Sharma 10-1-60-0, Shikha Pandey 10-2-19-3, Ekta Bisht 10-1-28-3, Harmanpreet Kaur 4-0-15-0, Rajeshwari Gayakwad 6-0-30-0.

India: Poonam Raut lbw b Lizelle Lee 47 (77b, 8x4) , Smriti Mandhana c Sunette Loubser b Dane van Niekerk 16 (42b, 1x4) , Mithali Raj c Trisha Chetty b Sunette Loubser 6 (18b) , Shikha Pandey c Trisha Chetty b Marizanne Kapp 59 (56b, 8x4, 1x6) , Harmanpreet Kaur (not out) 42 (61b, 4x4) , V.R. Vanitha (not out) 11 (14b, 2x4) , Extras (b-1, lb-1, w-4) 6; Total (for four wkts., in 44.4 overs) 187.

Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-65, 3-73, 4-162.

South Africa bowling: Marizanne Kapp 9-0-42-1, Ayabonga Khaka 7-1-24-0, Marcia Letsoalo 8-0-40-0, Dane van Niekerk 8.4-0-29-1, Sunette Loubser 5-1-17-1, Lizelle Lee 4-0-21-1, Yolani Fourie 3-0-12-0.