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Harmanpreet Kaur-led India warmed up nicely ahead of their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign opener against New Zealand. India beat South Africa by 28 runs as experienced pacer Ayanobga Khaka's five-wicket haul went in vain. Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma's 30s helped India post 144/7. South Africa kept on losing wickets and the required run rate climbed up. They managed to post 116/6 and lost the match by 28 runs at ICC Academy Ground, Dubai on October 1.
Slow start
Earlier, South Africa skipper Sune Luus won the toss and opted to field first. Ayabonga knocked over Shafali Verma with the second ball of the match. In her second over, she dismissed skipper Harmanpreet who scored 10 runs from 11 balls. After powerplay overs, India were 29/2. Mandhana and Rodrigues accelerated in the middle overs. Nonkulululeko Mlaba broke the partnership with Mandhana's wicket in the ninth over. The opener scored 21 runs from 22 balls.
Cameos help India post par score
Rodrigues could not carry on either. In the 11th over, she fell to Annerie Dercksen. She scored 30 runs from 26 balls. In the 16th over, Richa hit the first six of the innings. In the penultimate over, 16 runs were scored as Deepti and Richa scored boundaries. In the final over of the innings, Ayabonga struck thrice. First Richa departed for a 25-ball 36. Pooja Vastrakar took a couple of runs before miscuing a shot. Shreyanka Patil could not contribute to the score and got bowled for a golden duck. Arundhati Reddy hit a four and took a single off the last ball to take India's score to 144/7.
No challenge from South Africa
South Africa's run chase got off to a steady start. They were 31 for no loss after powerplay overs. Asha Sobhana got the breakthroug in seventh over with Tazmin Brits' wicket. She scored 22 runs from 25 balls. In the 10th over, Deepti ended Anneke Bosch's short stay at the crease. At the halfway stage, South Africa were 55/2. As the required run rate went up, opener Laura Wolvaardt got knocked over by Shreyanka. She scored 29 runs from 26 balls.
Skipper Sune could not do much damage either and became Asha's second victim of the evening. Boundaries became scarce in the middle overs. Skipper Harmanpreet introduced herself into the attack and got the wicket of Nadine de Klerk who scored four runs from 10 balls. In the 17th over, Shafali got the ball. She conceded 13 runs but ended the over with Chloe Tryon's wicket. Chloe scored 24 runs from 20 balls. After two overs without boundaries, Annerie hit two fours off Shreyanka as South Africa managed to post 116/6. Anneri remained unbeaten for 21 off 16 balls.
India, South Africa’s opening games
India will take on New Zealand in their campaign opener on October 4. On the other hand, South Africa will go up against two-time Champions West Indies on October 4.
