Sri Lanka Women’s Tri-Nation Series 2025: India Women Beat South Africa Women by 23 Runs in Match 5
Colombo/Patiala, 07 May (Sports Desk)
Match Overview
Date: May 7, 2025
Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Teams: India Women vs South Africa Women
Result: India Women won by 23 runs
Player of the Match: Jemimah Rodrigues (123 off 101 balls)
Match Summary
In a commanding performance, India Women secured a 23-run victory over South Africa Women in the fifth match of the Sri Lanka Women’s Tri-Nation Series 2025 at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on May 7, 2025. This win solidified India’s place in the series final, maintaining their dominant run with three victories in the tournament. Powered by stellar batting from Jemimah Rodrigues (123) and Deepti Sharma (93), India posted a formidable 337/6 in 50 overs. South Africa, despite a valiant effort led by Tazmin Brits’ century, fell short at 314/9, unable to overcome India’s disciplined bowling and sharp fielding.
Toss and Decision
India Women, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, won the toss and elected to bat first, capitalizing on the batting-friendly conditions at Colombo. The decision proved strategic as India’s batters set a challenging target on a pitch that offered early movement but favored run-scoring once settled.
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India Women Innings: 337/6 (50 overs)
India’s innings was a masterclass in aggressive yet calculated batting, anchored by a sensational 123 off 101 balls from Jemimah Rodrigues (15 fours, 1 six) and a composed 93 from Deepti Sharma. The innings got off to a shaky start, with India at 50/3 after losing Smriti Mandhana (51), Pratika Rawal, and Harmanpreet Kaur (28) early, the latter dismissed by Annerie Dercksen.
Key moments:
- Rodrigues’ resurgence: After a mini-collapse, Jemimah Rodrigues took charge, stabilizing the innings with fluent strokeplay. Her 123, described as a “sensational knock,” included 15 boundaries and a six, turning the tide when India were reeling at 50/3.
- Deepti’s anchor role: Deepti Sharma’s 93 provided the perfect foil, ensuring India maintained momentum through the middle and death overs. Their partnership was pivotal in pushing India past 300.
- Mandhana’s contribution: Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana chipped in with a brisk 51, setting a solid foundation alongside Pratika Rawal before South Africa’s bowlers struck.
- Late flourish: Richa Ghosh and others added quick runs, with India amassing 82 runs in the final 10 overs, finishing at 337/6.
South Africa’s bowling struggled to contain India’s batters. Nonkululeko Mlaba and Annerie Dercksen took wickets, but the lack of regular breakthroughs and missed fielding opportunities allowed India to post a daunting total.
South Africa Women Innings: 314/9 (50 overs)
Chasing a mammoth 338, South Africa put up a spirited fight, driven by Tazmin Brits’ fluent century (exact score not specified but noted as her third ODI hundred). The innings started strongly with a 140-run opening stand between Brits and captain Laura Wolvaardt, keeping South Africa in the hunt. However, Wolvaardt’s dismissal triggered a slide, and Brits’ eventual departure (retired hurt on 108 in the previous match context) shifted momentum.
Key moments:
- Brits’ dominance: Tazmin Brits was the cornerstone, scoring at a run-a-ball rate and punishing loose deliveries. Her century kept South Africa ahead of the required rate early on.
- Middle-order collapse: After the openers’ departure, India’s bowlers, led by Sneh Rana, tightened the screws. Rana’s spin bowling, alongside Deepti Sharma, triggered a collapse, with South Africa losing wickets at critical junctures.
- Late resistance: Annerie Dercksen and Chloe Tryon found boundaries to keep hopes alive, but India’s fielding, including run-outs by Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh, sealed the game. Nonkululeko Mlaba’s six in the final overs was a highlight, but South Africa ended at 314/9.
India’s bowling attack was led by Sneh Rana, who continued her fine form from earlier matches, supported by Deepti Sharma’s economical spin. Kashvee Gautam and Arundhati Reddy also contributed, with precise fielding ensuring South Africa couldn’t close the gap. A notable moment was Mlaba’s run-out, effected by Deepti’s sharp throw and Ghosh’s quick work behind the stumps.
Pitch and Conditions
The R. Premadasa Stadium pitch was conducive to batting once the early moisture settled, offering pace and bounce. Pacers found movement with the new ball, but spinners like Sneh Rana and Nonkululeko Mlaba dominated as the game progressed. Warm and humid conditions prevailed, with a chance of rain, but the match was uninterrupted, unlike earlier games in the series.
Playing XIs
India Women: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Kashvee Gautam, Arundhati Reddy, Sneh Rana, Nallapureddy Charani
South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Lara Goodall, Karabo Meso (wk), Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas
Key Performances
- Jemimah Rodrigues (IND): 123 off 101 (15×4, 1×6) – A match-defining century that rescued India from 50/3 and earned her the Player of the Match award.
- Deepti Sharma (IND): 93 – Provided stability and momentum, complementing Rodrigues’ aggression. Also contributed with tight bowling and a key run-out.
- Smriti Mandhana (IND): 51 – Laid a solid foundation with her half-century.
- Tazmin Brits (SA): Century – Kept South Africa in the chase but couldn’t see them through.
- Sneh Rana (IND): Key wickets and tight bowling – Turned the game with her spin, continuing her series-long impact.
Impact on Tournament
India’s victory, their third in the series, secured their spot in the final on May 11, 2025, with an unbeaten record so far. South Africa, with two losses (including a previous 15-run defeat to India), face an uphill task to qualify, needing a win against Sri Lanka in their final group game. India’s net run rate and consistent performances make them favorites for the title.
Series Context
The Sri Lanka Women’s Tri-Nation Series 2025, featuring India, South Africa, and Sri Lanka, is a crucial preparatory event for the Women’s ODI World Cup later in 2025. India, riding a six-match ODI winning streak, have dominated with wins over Sri Lanka (9 wickets) and South Africa (15 runs and 23 runs). South Africa’s earlier loss to Sri Lanka (5 wickets) adds pressure to their campaign.
Broadcast and Streaming
The match was streamed live on the FanCode app and website in India, with no live TV telecast. In Sri Lanka, it was available on The Papare 2 channel (Dialog Television) and streamed on ThePapare.com’s Facebook page and Dialog VIU app.
Quotes and Reactions
- Harmanpreet Kaur (India Captain): “From ball one, we were trying to give our 100%. Really proud the way we were fielding. We saved so many runs and that’s the only reason we were in the game.” (On the team’s effort in the previous SA match, reflective of their approach.)
- Posts on X celebrated Jemimah Rodrigues’ “sensational” 123, with @ImTanujSingh noting her clutch performance under pressure. @BCCIWomen highlighted the batting trio of Rodrigues, Sharma, and Mandhana, while @ICC praised India’s clinical win.
Conclusion
India Women’s 23-run triumph was a testament to their batting depth, bowling discipline, and resilience under pressure. Jemimah Rodrigues’ century and Deepti Sharma’s all-round brilliance outshone Tazmin Brits’ valiant effort, ensuring India’s march to the final. As South Africa regroup for their must-win clash, India’s commanding form positions them as frontrunners for the Servo Cup 2025.
