India Women's familiar frailties exposed again as South Africa go 2-0 up in Durban

India were undone by the same old flaws as they slumped to a heavy 8-wicket defeat in the second T20I against South Africa on Sunday at Kingsmead in Durban. In the series opener, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side had been let down by a shoddy middle order, and the script remained unchanged as the Proteas surged to a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

After the first T20I, Smriti Mandhana had admitted that India’s batters failed to capitalise on a promising start and would look to make amends. However, on April 19, things only worsened as another horrendous middle-order collapse derailed the innings.

South Africa vs India, 2nd Women's T20I, Updates | Scorecard

It is a recurring concern India need to address urgently, especially with the Women’s T20 World Cup fast approaching. The home team entered the series on the back of a 1-4 defeat to New Zealand and will be delighted with the way they have bounced back.

ANUSHKA, SHAFALI GIVE INDIA PLATFORM

After being asked to bat first, Smriti Mandhana looked in ominous touch, smashing Ayabonga Khaka for three fours in the second over. However, Chloe Tryon cut short her stay as Mandhana miscued a sweep shot. Jemimah Rodrigues followed soon after, falling to Tryon for a single-digit score.

At the other end, Shafali Verma ensured India didn’t lose momentum. Playing her 100th T20I, the 22-year-old took on the bowlers and brought up a fluent fifty off 30 balls. She found support in debutant Anushka Sharma, who showed little sign of nerves.

Anushka got off the mark with a crisp boundary off Khaka on her very first ball in international cricket. The Gujarat Giants batter scored 28 off 31 deliveries, hitting three fours, before becoming Tryon’s third victim. From there, India’s innings began to unravel.

INDIA’S MIDDLE ORDER WOES CONTINUE

Soon after Anushka’s dismissal, Shafali departed for 57 off 38 balls, an innings laced with seven fours and two sixes. From a comfortable 99 for two in 12.3 overs, India slipped dramatically to 132 for nine in just 38 balls. Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, and Richa Ghosh failed to make an impact as the middle order collapsed.

A late flourish from Arundhati Reddy, who struck Khaka for a four and a six, helped India reach 147. Tryon was the standout performer for South Africa with three wickets, while Tumi Sekhukhune provided solid support with figures of 3 for 31. Khaka, impressive in the series opener, endured a tough outing, conceding 45 runs without a wicket.

PROTEAS ROMP HOME

South Africa cruised through their run chase, never looking in any sort of trouble. The home side set the tone early, racing to 66 in the powerplay and maintaining control thereafter. Sune Luus and Laura Wolvaardt stitched together a 106-run opening stand, effectively ending any hopes India had after their batting collapse.

Wolvaardt picked up from where she left off in the series opener, bringing up her fifty off just 30 balls. Although she was dismissed by Shreyanka Patil for 54 off 34, the Proteas were already firmly in command. Luus complemented her perfectly with a steady 57 off 46 deliveries.

Even after both openers departed, there were no hiccups. Tazmin Brits and Annerie Dercksen ensured South Africa romped home with ease, remaining unbeaten on 20 and 12 respectively.

Shreyanka was once again India’s standout bowler, finishing with figures of 4-0-35-2. However, the result underlined the need for serious introspection for India ahead of the third T20I on April 22 at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.