India Women vs South Africa Women | South Africa Women and India Women tour of Sri Lanka, 2025 | Match 2

Right then, that is it from this thrilling game where India Women just edged out South Africa Women. The action in the Tri-Nation Series continues on 2nd May, Friday, when South Africa Women take on the hosts, Sri Lanka Women, with both sides looking for their first win. That will begin at 4.30 am GMT, but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Harmanpreet Kaur, the victorious skipper of India Women, says that they tried to give their 100 percent from ball one, and the major difference was the fielding, as they saved at least 20 runs. Adds that the openers of South Africa batted really well and for the first 25 overs, they were just chasing the game in the second inning, but once they got a breakthrough, their confidence grew and they came back in the game. States that they wanted to go close to 290-300 at the start, but looking at the pitch, it was a decent total on the board considering the conditions. Tells that they sensed an opportunity when Tazmin Brits went back to the dressing room with cramps, and that was a real turning point for them. Mentions that she is pretty happy with the bowlers, and they have given their 100 percent in winning this game.

Sneh Rana is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for her fantastic fifer. She says that she was just trying to focus on the variations. Adds that taking the pace off was working, and the word from the skipper and dugout was to do exactly that. Mentions that conditions were tougher than the first game, but she was very clear about her tactics and is happy with the win. Says that she never gives up, no matter what and whenever the team needs her, she tries to give her best.

Laura Wolvaardt, the captain of South Africa Women, says that Tazmin Brits was amazing with the bat, and they both did a good opening partnership together, but they lost their way in the last couple of overs and lost too many wickets and fell short in this chase. Adds that Brits had cramps, and thus she had to go back, but you can’t do much of that as it is too hot out here, but she played very well in this match. Mentions that the team could have supported her, but it didn’t happen.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the match, India Women put up an imposing total, powered by a superb 78 from Pratika Rawal and solid contributions from the rest of the top five. For South Africa Women, Nonkululeko Mlaba stood out with a couple of wickets, while most of the others chipped in with one apiece, barring Sune Luus and Chloe Tryon. However, Annerie Dercksen proved quite expensive with the ball, and that may well have been the difference-maker in the end.

That proved to be the turning point, and India Women made the most of it by striking at key moments. Chloe Tryon and Annerie Dercksen kept South Africa in the hunt with some aggressive strokeplay, but the game flipped decisively in the 48th over when Sneh Rana removed both batters - and also sent back Tazmin Brits, who had returned but couldn’t make an impact. Rana wrapped up a brilliant five-wicket haul, while Arundhati Reddy, Shree Charani, and Deepti Sharma chipped in with a wicket each. For South Africa Women, it was a match that slipped through their fingers - they lost their last six wickets for just 21 runs and fell agonizingly short by 15 runs in a game they looked set to win.

Chasing a daunting target, the South African openers came out all guns blazing, immediately putting the Indian bowlers under pressure. They made the most of the Powerplay and stitched together a commanding 140-run partnership, taking a huge chunk out of the target and looking well in control. Laura Wolvaardt got a start before falling, but Tazmin Brits was in sublime touch, finding the boundary with ease and going on to notch up a brilliant century. She received solid support from Sune Luus for a period, but Luus’s dismissal came at a tricky time. To make matters worse for South Africa, Brits was forced to retire hurt due to cramps with around 100 runs still needed - a major blow at a crucial stage for the Rainbow Nation.

What a thriller of a cricket match that was! Momentum kept shifting as both teams had their share of highlights, but in the end, it was the composure and experience of the India Women that made the difference. Despite being under pressure for large parts of the game, they held their nerve superbly to seal their second consecutive win in this Tri-Nation series.