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2d ago

India Taps Depth and Defined Roles in Southampton ODI Series

Challenged by frontline pacer injuries, facing England’s returning stars, India is sharpening its 300-plus batting approach in Southampton.

King Charles III interacts with Indian women’s cricket team. (PTI)
Harmanpreet Kaur Linde was the Proteas’ most successful bowler on the day as he returned to dismiss Tashinga Musekiwa (9) and Tony Munyonga (0) on consecutive deliveries in the final over to restrict the hosts to 141/6. While Hermann relied on stroke play and carved five boundaries, while also hitting one maximum, Brevis was up to his usual destructive self and batted at a strike rate of 241.18, while hitting five sixes and one boundary, which also saw him being named man of the match, before Gwandu claimed his second and last wicket of the day. Ngarava continued to trouble the Proteas batters and bowled over Hermann but the damage had already been done as only 13 runs remained. Corbin Bosch (23*) and George Linde (3*) remained unbeaten and steered Proteas to victory by five wickets with 25 balls remaining. Brief Score: Zimbabwe 141/6 in 20 overs (Sikander Raza 54*, Brian Bennett 30; George Linde 3-10) lost to South Africa 142/5 in 15.5 overs ( Rubin Hermann 45, Dewald Brevis 41; Richard Ngarava 3-35) by five wickets.

Overview

  • The women’s side enters the three-match ODI series on the back of a historic 3-2 T20I series win over England, using Southampton as a final World Cup tune-up.
  • Captain Harmanpreet Kaur credits clear role allocations and boosted fitness and fielding standards for the team’s renewed cohesion and confidence.
  • A wealth of in-form players has created a “healthy headache” for selectors, with strong contenders like Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol and newcomer options pushing for spots.
  • Opener Pratika Rawal has become the fastest woman to reach 500 ODI runs and spinner Radha Yadav’s comeback adds vital variety to India’s spin attack.
  • India plans to sustain aggressive 300-plus totals to shore up its bowling unit, which is managing the absence of key pacers while England welcomes back Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sophie Ecclestone.