India women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur blamed the lack of intent in middle overs and poor fielding for their defeat against South Africa in the first T20I of the series in Chennai. South Africa beat India by 12 runs at MA Chidambaram Stadium on July 5.
"We didn't play good cricket overall and dropped too many chances which cost us 20 runs extras," Harmanpreet said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
"While batting, we played too many dots in the middle overs. They bowled well, didn't give us easy."
"The way we started, we thought we should keep going, but couldn't because of dot balls. While bowling, we need to be aware how the batters are batting and should set fields and bowl accordingly," she added.
Costly dropped chances
Laura Wolvaardt was dropped in the fourth over by Shreyanka Patil in the fourth over. She was batting on 22 then. South Africa skipper scored 11 more runs in the 50-run opening partnership. In the 10th over, Marizanne Kapp's catch was put down by Smriti Mandhana at long-off. Kapp was batting on 15 when she was dropped. She scored 57 runs from 33 balls and pushed the scoring rate in the middle overs.
At the start of slog overs, wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh gave Tazmin Brits a reprieve. He ball hit her glove and then her face. Richa was taken off the field as she suffered a concussion. The Proteas opener was batting on 50. She scored 81 runs from 56 balls. Her match-winning knock featured 10 fours and three sixes. The dropped chances let South Africa post a daunting total of 189/4.
Strike rate under scanner
When the required run rate was going up, Dayalan Hemalatha played too many dot balls in the middle overs. She scored 14 runs from 17 balls. By the time she departed, the required run rate had crossed 10 runs per over already despite a blazing start. Harmanpreet batted with a strike rate just over 120. Even Jemimah Rodrigues' unbeaten 30-ball 53 could not take them over the line as the hosts posted 177/4 while chasing.
Wolvaardt happy with intent
Wolvaardt was relieved after the team’s first win on the tour as South Africa lost three ODIs followed by a one-off Test.
“Much nicer standing here after a win. After a tough three weeks, it feels good. In the test match, we started to show that fight. Cricket is a funny game, but I really liked the intent we came up with today. It was a really exciting game," she said.
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