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Indian batters Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur came up with two tons to help India register a win in the second ODI against South Africa. After recording a 143-run win over the visitors and gaining an early lead 1-0 in the series, Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. hosted the side for the second of the three ODI match-series. The game took place at the same venue, M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday, June 19. South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt on the toss and invited the rivals to bat first.
While the Indian women wanted to extend their lead and register victory in the ODI series, the visitors wanted to avenge their past defeat and level the series.
Women in Blue looked high on confidence and were aiming to set their dominance right from the beginning of the game. Rightly so, the opener and star batter continued her brilliant form and came up with another ODI century. Mandhana played a significant knock of 136 runs in 120 deliveries to give a boost to the side. After Shafali Verma and Hemalath’s below-par knocks skipper Harmanpreet Kaur came up with a blisterring knock of 103* runs in 88 deliveries.
Owing to two centuries, the Indians were able to come up with a huge score of 325 runs for three wickets.
South Africa, in return, hoped for a positive start, but their hopes were soon crushed by debutant Arundhati Reddy who scalped Tazmin Brits’ wickets in just four overs. However, skipper Laura Wolvaardt played like a true leader and stood by the side till the end. The talismanic opener scored 135* runs off 135 deliveries to give the side some stability. Later, Marizanne Kapp came up with another crucial 114 runs.
Despite two centuries, the Proteas women failed to get over the line and missed their first victory in the series by a whisker. The game saw Smiriti Mandhana becoming the first Indian woman to score consecutive ODI centuries. Not only this, but the batter enthralled Chinnaswamy's crowd with her maiden international wicket. This was the first time Mandhana bowled in an international match.
With a four-run win in this match, India won the three-match ODI series 2-0.
