Rodrigues' 123, Deepti's all-round show help India set up Women's ODI Tri-series final with Sri Lanka after 23-run win over South Africa

India rode on Jemimah Rodrigues' splendid century coupled with Deepti Sharma's all-round heroics to notch up a convincing 23-run win over South Africa to set up Women's ODI tri-series final date with Sri Lanka on May 7 at the R. Premadasa Stadium. With this South Africa's struggles continued as they remained winless, setting up a virtual dead-rubber contest against Sri Lanka.

Electing to bat first, India Women posted a formidable total of 337/9 in their allotted 50 overs. This came after an early setback with the quick dismissals of the in-form opener Pratika Rawal and number three batter Harleen Deol, both falling to the bowling of Nadine de Klerk and Masabata Klaas respectively. Smriti Mandhana anchored the innings with a resilient knock of 51 runs off 63 deliveries, forging a crucial 88-run partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues to steady the ship.

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Jemimah Rodrigues then took center stage, unleashing a career-best ODI score of 123 runs from a mere 101 balls, adorned with 15 boundaries and a towering six. Later in the innings, Deepti Sharma put on a show, smashing an impressive 93 runs from 84 balls. The dynamic duo of Rodrigues and Sharma orchestrated a brilliant partnership that propelled India Women to a commanding total exceeding 300 runs.

While India's batters dominated, South Africa's bowlers also made contributions. Nadine de Klerk and Masabata Klaas each added another wicket to their earlier successes, while Nonkululeko Mlaba managed to dismiss the Indian lower-order batters Richa Ghosh and Amanjot Kaur during the crucial final overs.

Despite valiant efforts from their middle order, South Africa ultimately fell short in their chase. Following the early dismissal of opener Lara Goodall by Amanjot Kaur, Tazmin Brits and Miane Smit forged a 63-run partnership for the second wicket. However, the Indian bowlers struck back, with Amanjot Kaur claiming the wicket of Brits and Deepti Sharma dismissing Smit. Annerie Dercksen then mounted a spirited fight, scoring 81 runs at almost a run a ball.

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India's bowlers continued to chip away, with Pratika Rawal and Shree Charani each taking a wicket. Amanjot Kaur further bolstered her impressive performance by dismissing the dangerous-looking Dercksen, finishing with remarkable figures of 3 wickets for 59 runs. South African captain Chloe Tryon provided a glimmer of hope with a blistering innings of 67 runs off just 43 balls, including four boundaries and five towering sixes, keeping her team in contention until the final couple of overs. Ultimately, her dismissal by Deepti Sharma extinguished South Africa's fading chances, securing a convincing 23-run win for India.