India Edge South Africa as Rana Spins a Web in Colombo Heat

India Women opened their Sri Lanka ODI Tri-Series campaign with a nerve-jangling 15-run victory over South Africa at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday. In intense heat and pressure, Sneh Rana’s brilliant five-wicket haul proved decisive after South Africa threatened to pull off a stunning chase. Batting first, India posted a solid 276/6.…

Editor

04/30/2025

2–3 minutes

Tazmin Brits, Women’s cricket

Batting first, India posted a solid 276/6. Pratika Rawal led the way with a composed 78 off 91 balls, showing maturity beyond her years. She found good support from Smriti Mandhana (36), while Jemimah Rodrigues (41 off 32) and Richa Ghosh (24 off 14) gave the innings late energy. Although India might feel they left 10–15 runs on the table, as captain Harmanpreet Kaur admitted afterward, the score proved just enough.

South Africa started their chase in style, with Laura Wolvaardt (43) and Tazmin Brits adding 140 for the first wicket. Brits, in particular, was outstanding, smashing 109 from 107 balls with 13 fours and three sixes. At 170/2, South Africa seemed firmly on course, especially with wickets in hand.

However, extreme Colombo heat took its toll. Brits had to retire hurt shortly after her century, leaving South Africa needing to rebuild under difficult circumstances. “It’s really hot, what can you do? She could barely get up the stairs,” Wolvaardt said afterward.

India seized the moment. Sneh Rana turned the game with a stunning spell, taking 5 for 43, including the vital wickets of De Klerk, Dercksen, and Brits in the crucial 47th over. “I just relied on my variations, and the plan to take the pace off worked,” Rana said after being named Player of the Match.

South Africa, needing 23 off the final over, fought hard but eventually fell short at 261 all out in 49.2 overs. Mlaba’s late six briefly raised hopes, but tight fielding and pressure bowling ensured India closed out the win.

Harmanpreet praised her team’s fielding and resilience: “We fielded really well and saved a lot of runs. When Brits left the field, we looked at it as an opportunity.”

For South Africa, it was a harsh reminder that strong starts must be finished off — especially in the unforgiving conditions of Khettarama, where spin and pressure often decide games.

Scorecard

India Women Innings – 276/6 (50 overs)

Batter	R	B	4s	6s	SR	Dismissal
Pratika Rawal	78	91	7	1	85.71	b Mlaba
Smriti Mandhana	36	54	5	0	66.66	c †Meso b Dercksen
Harleen Deol	29	47	4	0	61.70	b Mlaba
Harmanpreet Kaur (c)	41*	48	4	0	85.41	not out
Jemimah Rodrigues	41	32	4	0	128.12	c Khaka b Klaas
Richa Ghosh (wk)	24	14	3	1	171.42	c Luus b Khaka
Deepti Sharma	9	8	1	0	112.50	c Tryon b de Klerk
Kashvee Gautam	5*	6	0	0	83.33	not out
Extras						13 (w 13)
Total						276/6 (50 Overs)

Fall of wickets: 83 (Mandhana), 151 (Rawal), 154 (Deol), 213 (Rodrigues), 247 (Ghosh), 259 (Sharma)

South Africa Women Innings – 261 all out (49.2 overs)

Batter	R	B	4s	6s	SR	Dismissal
Laura Wolvaardt (c)	43	75	3	0	57.33	lbw b Sharma
Tazmin Brits	109	107	13	3	101.86	c & b Rana / retired hurt
Lara Goodall	9	11	1	0	81.81	b Rana
Karabo Meso (wk)	7	17	0	0	41.17	b Reddy
Sune Luus	28	34	4	0	82.35	c sub (AB Kaur) b Charani
Chloe Tryon	18	22	1	0	81.81	c sub (AB Kaur) b Rana
Annerie Dercksen	30	20	3	1	150.00	c Deol b Rana
Nadine de Klerk	0	2	0	0	0.00	b Rana
Masabata Klaas	2	2	0	0	100.00	run out (Reddy)
Nonkululeko Mlaba	8	6	0	1	133.33	run out (Sharma/Ghosh)
Ayabonga Khaka	0	1	0	0	0.00	not out
Extras						7 (lb 4, nb 1, w 2)
Total						261 all out (49.2 Overs)