India Women, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, secured a dominant 10-wicket victory over South Africa Women on July 9, levelling the three-match T20I series at 1-1. Pooja Vastrakar's exceptional bowling performance played a crucial role in dismantling South Africa's batting lineup, restricting them to a mere 84 runs.
After winning the toss and opting to bowl first at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, India capitalised on early breakthroughs. Despite South Africa's strong performance in the series opener, key players like Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp struggled against India's disciplined bowling attack. Vastrakar's brilliant spell of 3/14, which included the dismissals of Kapp, Anneke Bosch, and Nadine de Klerk, was instrumental in South Africa's batting collapse.
Radha Yadav complemented Vastrakar's efforts with an equally impressive spell, taking 3/6 and further weakening South Africa's chances. Her key wicket of Annerie Dercksen added to South Africa's woes, ensuring that the visitors were bundled out for a low total.
In response, Indian openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma made quick work of the modest target, chasing it down in just 10.5 overs without losing a wicket. This emphatic victory showcased India's all-round capabilities and set the stage for a thrilling series decider.
Pooja Vastrakar's all-round performance, coupled with Radha Yadav's support, highlighted the depth of India's bowling attack. Vastrakar's controlled pace and accuracy were particularly effective, earning her the Player of the Match award. With this win, India demonstrated their resilience and ability to bounce back, setting up an exciting finale to the series.