1st T20I: Harmanpreet's Brilliance Overshadowed by Late Collapse as India Posts 157/7 Against South Africa
Synopsis
In the thrilling opener of the women's T20I series, captain Harmanpreet Kaur's stellar 47 runs and a solid partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues could not prevent India from a late innings collapse, leaving them at 157/7 against South Africa.
Key Takeaways
Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front with a solid score.
A strong partnership formed between Harmanpreet and Rodrigues .
Late batting collapse hindered India's total.
Ayabonga Khaka was instrumental in South Africa's bowling effort.
India fell short of 160 by just three runs.
Durban, April 17 (NationPress) Captain Harmanpreet Kaur showcased her talent with a commendable score of 47, partnering with Jemimah Rodrigues for a robust 71-run collaboration. However, a late-game batting collapse restricted India to just 157/7 in their full quota of 20 overs during the women's T20I series opener against South Africa at the Kingsmead Stadium on Friday.
After being put in to bat on a dry pitch, India started strong, with Shafali Verma contributing 34 runs off 20 balls. Despite this, the Proteas made a comeback in the final overs, limiting runs (including just 10 runs in the last two overs) thanks to Ayabonga Khaka, who delivered an impressive performance with figures of 3-16, supported by Tumi Sekhukhune and Nonkululeko Mlaba.
Shafali began aggressively, hitting Sune Luus for a six and a four in the first over, but the tide turned when she mis-timed a shot off Tumi's bowling and was caught at deep midwicket. Smriti Mandhana (13) quickly followed, driving the ball straight to cover, leaving India at a precarious 48/2 by the end of the Powerplay.
The seasoned duo of Harmanpreet and Rodrigues (36 off 29 balls) then steadied the innings through a measured approach. Initially focused on rotating the strike, they began to score freely in the 12th over, racking up 15 runs off Nadine de Klerk.
Despite some initial struggles, Jemimah displayed elegance with her inside-out drives while Harmanpreet utilized her strength to clear boundaries. However, the departure of Rodrigues in the 15th over, caught splendidly by a diving Sune off Tumi's bowling, triggered a collapse for India.
With Ayabonga adeptly changing her bowling pace, both Richa Ghosh and Arundhati Reddy fell for low scores, while debutant Kashvee Gautam was dismissed by Nonkululeko's bowling. A chaotic run-out involving Shreyanka Patil on the penultimate ball further hampered India's efforts, as they lost four wickets for a mere 33 runs in the last five overs. Harmanpreet also found it challenging to time the ball late in her innings, as India's attempt to reach 170 fell short by three runs.
Brief scores:
India 157/7 in 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 47 not out, Jemimah Rodrigues 36; Ayabonga Khaka 3-16, Tumi Sekhukhune 2-27) against South Africa
Point of View
It's evident that India showcased potential through Harmanpreet and Rodrigues, yet the late-game collapse raises concerns about their batting depth. This match serves as a reminder of the unpredictability in cricket, emphasizing the need for resilience as the series progresses.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Harmanpreet Kaur's score in the match?
Harmanpreet Kaur scored 47 runs not out.
How many runs did India score in total?
India posted a total of 157 runs for the loss of 7 wickets.
Who took the most wickets for South Africa?
Ayabonga Khaka claimed 3 wickets for 16 runs.
What partnership was crucial for India?
The 71-run partnership between Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues was crucial.
When and where did the match take place?
The match took place on April 17 at Kingsmead Stadium, Durban.
