Rain Plays Spoilsport at Centurion; Match Abandoned

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and chose to field first. South Africa’s openers Lizelle Lee and skipper Dane van Niekerk gave the Proteas a blazing start and turned out to be a nightmare for every Indian bowler in the match. As a result, the Proteas went on to put up an opening partnership of 103 runs in just 77 balls until Deepti Sharma dismissed Niekerk for 55 of 47 balls in the thirteenth over with Rumeli Dhar taking her catch over the covers. This was the third T20I opening century partnership for the Proteas women. Hard hitting batswoman Chloe Tryon was sent back immediately by Poonam Yadav, only for 2 after was she caught by Rumeli Dhar at square leg this time.Sune Luus, who came in at Number 4 was sent back for 5 off Deepti Sharma again. While wickets were tumbling at one end, Lizelle Lee stood firm at the other notching a half-century which included 5 sixes.

 

Everything seemed to have been working in favor of the Proteas women until rain stopped the match in the middle of the16th over when the Proteas were already at 128/3 (Lee 58* and Mignon du Preez 1*) and the match ended up being called off after almost two hours of continuous rain.

 

South Africa have every right to feel dejected as it seemed they were on to their way to a massive total and were determined to level the series (2-2) with India in this 5-match series. But on the other hand, the rain could have been a blessing in disguise for India as they were already put under pressure in the first innings by the constant assault of  Niekerk and Lee and needless to mention by their own sluggish fielding during the match. As a result, India lead the series 2-1 with the last game to be played in Cape Town on 24th February.There is no way for India to lose the series now whereas the Proteas will aim at levelling the series and end the series with a win on their home soil.