Spinner Sneh Raha picked three wickets in a single over to pick her maiden five-wicket haul in WODIs, while Pratika Rawal excelled with a well-crafted fifty that helped India to register a 15-run win against South Africa to register their second win of the Women's Tri-series
Pratika Rawal continued her momentum with the bat in the second clash, scoring 78 off 91 balls that helped India to post a competitive 276 for six after skipper Harmanpreet Kaur elected to bat first.
During the second inning, Rana snared five wickets as South Africa were bowled out for 261 in 49.2 overs despite Tazmin Brits 109. South Africa lost their last five wickets for 21 runs, giving India their second consecutive victory in the tournament.
The in-form off-spinner Rana ended with figures of 5/43. She bowled a crucial 48th over, picking three wickets while giving away just three runs.
Chasing a challenging total, South Africa were off to a good start as India were on the backfoot.
Brits dealt with the conditions and cramps to score a gritty 108 off 105 balls. She and Captain Laura Wolvaardt stitched together a commanding 140-run opening stand, threatening to take the game away.
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But when the momentum was shifted towards South Africa, Indian spinners turned the tables.
Deepti Sharma (1/40) broke the stand in the 28th over, trapping Wolvaardt leg-before with one pitched outside off. Soon Rana struck, bowling Lara Goodall (9) to further tilt the game in India’s favour.
Brits notched up her third ODI century in fine style, following it with consecutive boundaries. Unfortunately, her impressive knock was cut short when she had to retire hurt due to cramping, leaving South Africa with two fresh faces at the crease.
Sensing the moment, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur introduced Arundhati Reddy into the attack. The right-arm pacer made an instant impact, removing debutant Karabo Meso. The momentum continued to shift India's way when left-arm spinner Shree Charani claimed the wicket of the seasoned Sune Luus, who was caught at deep midwicket.
As the required run rate climbed to nine a over, Chloe Tryon and Annerie Dercksen attempted to up the tempo. But Rana proved too much, dismissing both batters along with Nadine de Klerk and the returning Brits in the 48th over to seal a superb five-wicket haul.
Earlier in the day, Rawal—coming off a fluent fifty in the previous match—showcased her form again, hitting seven fours and a six in a composed innings. Partnered with Smriti Mandhana, who made a steady 36, the pair laid a strong foundation with an 83-run stand in 18.3 overs.
That stand ended when Mandhana was caught down the leg side by keeper Karabo Meso off Dercksen’s bowling. Harleen Deol then joined Rawal at the crease, contributing 29 from 47 balls in a 68-run partnership before being bowled by Nonkululeko Mlaba.
Rawal, having brought up her fifth ODI half-century, seemed poised for another ton, but Mlaba struck again to dismiss her. Despite the loss, India’s middle order stepped up, with useful knocks from Harmanpreet Kaur (41), Jemimah Rodrigues (41), and Richa Ghosh (24), lifting India to a competitive total.