India-W tri-series final India Women will face South Africa Women in the tri-series final on February 2 at Buffalo Park in East London. In this series, the two teams have already met twice, with India winning the first game and the second one being washed out by rain.
The fact that the Women in Blue have not lost a tri-series game thus far is encouraging going into the T20 World Cup. In the meantime, the Proteas are dealing with problems off the field and won’t have Marizanne Kapp for this game.
With everything on the line in this final, neither team will want to let anything stand in their way of winning. The team that comes out on top in this final could gain a lot of confidence going into the T20 World Cup, which starts next week.
In this section, we examine three player battles to watch out for in this final:
#1 Shabnim Ismail vs. Smriti Mandhana
It doesn’t get any better than this, does it? India’s best batsman played against the most deadly bowler in South Africa. With 86 runs scored in four matches, Smriti Mandhana has not had the best series thus far. The elegant southpaw batter has had to do most of the heavy lifting herself because she is without her partner in crime, Shafali Verma.
Mandhana didn’t back down from a challenge when she was up against one of the fastest women’s bowlers. Shabnim Ismail, on the other hand, can be an absolute menace when she sings. In this tri-series, the Protea quick has only played one game, a lost game against India. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate this time around and we will be able to watch an exciting contest.
#2 Laura Wolvaardt Vs Renuka Singh
Laura Wolvaardt is one of the brightest players in the lineup and serves as the backbone of this South African batting unit. The 23-year-old is at the top of the hierarchy and is frequently trusted with laying the foundation for her side. Wolvaardt will be expected to set the tone for her side because Marizanne Kapp will not be participating in this final for personal reasons.
Her first test will be against one of the best bowlers in the world currently in good form. Renuka Singh, who was named the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year, has excelled ever since joining the Indian team. India’s masterful pacer will be back in the hunt for wickets to help her side win this series after missing a few games.
#3 Harmanpreet Kaur vs. Nonkululeko Mlaba
Nonkululeko Mlaba has four wickets to her name in this tri-series. In the opening match against the Women in Blue, the left-arm spinner took two wickets, dismissing Jemimah Rodrigues and Devika Vaidya, to derail India’s middle order.
The Protea spinner, on the other hand, will have to work harder because the Indian captain is back in the team after missing the first game. Harmanpreet Kaur is well-known for her assortment of sweeps, which she heavily uses to construct her innings. With that in mind, the left-arm spinner’s challenge is definitely one to keep an eye on.