The Raj-Raut show leads South Africa's rout as India seal series 2-0

South Africa's top five batters got scores of over 20 each. What’s more, three out of the first four partnerships were over 50 runs each. To cut matters short, the vistors batted well.

But their efforts were overshadowed by half centuries from Mithali Raj and Punam Raut as India coasted to a five-wicket win against South Africa with two overs to spare in the second ODI at the Reliance Cricket Ground in Vadodara on Friday (October 11). With this, the hosts seal the series with a game to go.

It was India’s highest successful chase in ODIs and was the first time South Africa lost after having three partnerships of 50 or more in the format.

Put in to bat, the touring openers, Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt, gave them a start they desired. It was a 76-run stand at the top that got them going. The former had a larger share, scoring 40 runs in just 54 balls, including a majestic maximum off Deepti Sharma over deep mid-wicket.

Wolvaardt then went on to get what her partner had missed – a deserving half century. It was her 17^th score of fifty or more, second only to Lee’s 19. Trisha Chetty was the second one to depart after a 51-run stand with the half-centurion. She made 22 before miscuing a heave off Shikha Pandey to Jhulan Goswami at mid-on.

When Wolvaardt then fell, pulling Shikha Pandey straight to Jemimah Rodrigues at deep square leg, it seemed that the tourists would yet again flatter to deceive. However, Mignon du Preez, their premier batter, brought a steadiness to the proceedings.

For once the Indian bowlers hadn’t got the early wickets. For once South Africa looked keen to take the fight on and bat long.

With Lara Goodall joining du Preez in the middle, it made things even more difficult for Raj. The duo added a quick 59 runs in just 50 balls to turn the momentum in the visitors’ favour. Although Goodall didn’t particularly look all at ease against spin – especially Deepti Sharma’s off spin, three off her five fours were against spinners – two of them against Deepti. In a bid to hit Ekta Bisht out of the ground, she was dismissed stumped for 38, which came in just 32 balls.

Meanwhile, du Preez kept going at the other end. Although her knock of 44 featured just three boundaries – two fours and a six – the running between the wickets were what kept her going. And that humongous strike off Goswami for half a dozen was something to be played on loop.

In the final over of the innings, she charged down against Bisht, only to miss the ball as well as her half century. The Proteas had managed to post 247 on the board.

The highest target India had hunted down till then was 245 in 2017 , which was incidentally also against South Africa.

In riposte, Rodrigues began with a flurry of boundaries, before eventually being brilliantly caught and bowled by Ayabonga Khaka for 18. The seamer was wayward in her first spell, going for 33 in her first three overs.

Priya Punia, who scored an unbeaten 75 on debut, hit three fours off a Khaka over, before a Shabnim Ismail ball hurried on to her and resulted in her giving a catch to Laura Wolvaardt at mid-wicket.

That brought Mithali Raj and Punam Raut together. The pair slowly played themselves in, often playing out dot balls. But the ease with which they found the ropes left the South Africans searching for answers.

Mixing caution with aggression, Raj brought her 53^rd half century in ODIs in 57 balls. Soon enough, Raut followed suit, getting to her 12^th ODI fifty off 73 balls. They added 129 runs for the third wicket and it seemed India would get home in a canter.

But both departed within a space of four balls to leave India needing a further 52 runs in 59 balls. Soon Deepti was castled by Khaka, who finished with three wickets, although she was a touch expensive.

Harmanpreet Kaur, as she has come to be known, though, kept her calm and ensured that she finished the match for India. She was unconquered on 39 off just 27 balls with five fours and a six, taking India home with no further hiccups.

Brief Scores: South Africa 247/6 in 50 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 69, Mignon du Preez 44; Shikha Pandey 2-38, Poonam Yadav 2-42) lost to India 248/5 in 48 overs (Mithali Raj 66, Punam Raut 65; Ayabonga Khaka 3-69) by five wickets. PoM: Punam Raut.