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NAVI MUMBAI: Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma’s all-round brilliance helped India beat South Africa and seal the maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title.
Set a stiff 299, South Africa crumbled under pressure and were bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs.
Tazmin Brits and skipper Laura Wolvaardt started strong with a half-century partnership that culminated with the former’s wicket, courtesy of a brilliant direct hit from Amanjot Kaur.
She made 23 from 35 with the help of two fours and a six.
India took another wicket in a short span, removing Anneke Bosch for a duck, which put them on top. However, it was Wolvaardt, who stood in their way, forging a string of partnerships with the middle-order batters that kept South Africa’s scorecard ticking.
She added 52 with Sune Luus and Annerie Dercksen that kept them alive in the contest. But, Shafali Verma had another plans as she picked two crucial wickets of Luss and Kapp, which left the Proteas reeling.
Despite the wickets tumbing around her, Wolvaardt stood firm and notched up a century.
However, once she fell after scoring 101 from 98, laced with 11 fours and a six, South Africa’s innings derailed from 220-7 to 246 all-out and eventually India a historic victory.
The star of bowling was Deepti Sharma, who picked up a five-wicket haul in 9.3 overs.
Earlier, Shafali Verma set the tone with 87 from 78 before Deepti Sharma’s brisk half-century and Richa Ghosh’s cameo propelled India to a strong total.
Put into bat first after a two-hour rain delay, India piled up 298-7 in their 50 overs.
Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma forged a century stand for the opening wicket, adding 104 in 17.4 overs. Both batters capitalized on the lightning-fast outfield and accelerated the scoring rate with a flurry of boundaries.
The Proteas got a sigh of relief when Smriti Mandhana was caught behind off.
Chloe Tryon’s bowling. She made 45 off 58 balls, studded with eight boundaries.
Meanwhile, Verma continued on and reached her half-century on 49 balls. Despite the wicket, South Africa could not stem the scoring rate as previous match centurion Jemima Rodrigues and Verma paired up for a 62-run stand.
The duo brought the team’s total to 166 in 27.5 overs. At this moment, the hosts were cruising; however, they were jolted by the prized wicket of Shafali Verma, who missed out on her century. She struck seven fours and two sixes in her knock.
The highlight of the Indian innings was the partnership despite South Africa making a strong comeback in the second half of the innings. Jemimah Rodrigues followed Verma after making 24 from 37 balls.
Consequently, India were 171-3 in 29.4 overs. South Africa did well to restrict India under 300 with wickets in the 30th to 40th overs.
Yet, Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh ensured that their side did not lose plot, adding a 47 from just 35 for the sixth wicket partnership.
Sharma was run out on the final ball of the innings, scoring runs in a ball 58 with the help of a six and three boundaries, while Gosh scored 34 from 24, including three fours and two sixes.
For South Africa, Ayabonga Khaka remained the pick of the bowling, bagging three wickets in her nine overs.
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