Suryakumar Yadav inspired the India Women’s team by recalling India’s journey in the Men’s T20 World Cup. On Sunday, Harmanpreet Kaur had a difficult outing in her 200th T20I as South Africa handed India a six-wicket defeat at Old Trafford in Manchester. After a strong start against Pakistan and the Netherlands, India suffered their first loss of the tournament against the Proteas.
Interestingly, earlier this year, the India Men’s team had also lost to South Africa by 76 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad before going on to lift the title. Suryakumar Yadav played a key role in India becoming the first team to successfully defend the Men’s T20 World Cup title. He later reflected on that campaign and said the women’s team could also follow a similar path to success.
“Kuch mahine hi purani baat hai. T20 World Cup me SA se harne ke baad kya hota hai whole world knows. Stick tight be fearless. Ho jaega. Jai hind. (It’s only been a few months. Everyone knows what happened after losing to South Africa in the T20 World Cup. Stick together, be fearless. It will happen. Jai Hind),” Suryakumar wrote on Instagram.
HOW INDIA STRUGGLED AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA
India had their moments against the Proteas but failed to capitalise on key phases of the innings. The Women in Blue got off to a solid start, scoring 59 runs in the powerplay despite losing Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma early.
However, the momentum slipped in the middle overs as India struggled to rotate strike and find boundaries, eventually finishing on 158 for seven. South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail were the standout bowlers, picking up two wickets each.
The chase, however, was defined by Kapp’s brilliance. She played a sensational unbeaten knock of 81 off 45 balls, striking at over 180 and holding the innings together with exceptional composure under pressure.
Her innings included seven fours and four sixes, and she made India pay for a couple of crucial drop catches by Radha Yadav. Kapp also anchored a vital 97-run partnership with Tazmin Brits after South Africa had been reduced to 25 for two in the powerplay.
Powered by Kapp’s counterattack, South Africa chased down the target with five balls to spare, finishing at 161 for four in 19.1 overs. The result exposed India’s inability to close out phases of control, despite a competitive total on the board.
India will now aim to bounce back against Bangladesh on June 25, before a crucial clash against six-time champions Australia at Lord’s on June 28, which could prove decisive in their push for a semi-final spot.
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