Tri-Nation Series 2025: India Secure Final Berth As Jemimah Rodrigues’ Masterclass Sinks South Africa

India secured a spot in the final of the Tri-Nation Series 2025 with a comprehensive 23-run victory over South Africa in a high-scoring encounter at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. 

Opting to field first after winning the toss, South Africa faced an Indian batting lineup determined to dominate. India’s innings began in a rather uncertain fashion as Pratika Rawal fell cheaply for just 1 run, edging a delivery from Nadine de Klerk to Annerie Dercksen in the second over. 

Smriti Mandhana Stands Tall

The early breakthrough gave South Africa a glimmer of hope, but Smriti Mandhana and Harleen Deol sought to stabilize the innings with a cautious approach. However, Deol’s stay was brief, as she was bowled by Masabata Klaas for 4 in the third over, leaving India reeling at 18/2.

With two wickets down inside the first three overs, India needed their experienced batters to step up. Smriti Mandhana took on the responsibility, displaying her typical blend of elegance and aggression. 

She caressed the ball through covers and punished anything short with impeccable timing. Mandhana’s composed 51 off 63 deliveries was a crucial effort in restoring momentum, but her dismissal to Chloe Tryon in the 24th over, caught at deep mid-wicket by de Klerk, left India at 138/4.

The Jemimah Rodrigues Show

At the other end, Jemimah Rodrigues was putting together a sublime innings. Starting cautiously, she gradually shifted gears, playing with a mix of deft touches and authoritative strokes. 

Her footwork against the spinners was particularly impressive as she repeatedly found gaps to keep the scoreboard ticking. Rodrigues’ innings was a masterclass in pacing a knock under pressure, reaching her half-century off 40 balls with seven boundaries. 

Her partnership with Deepti Sharma was the turning point in the innings. Together, they added a crucial 122 runs for the fifth wicket, with Rodrigues eventually departing for a magnificent 123 off 101 deliveries, her second ODI century. Her innings featured 15 fours and a six, underlining her dominance against both pace and spin.

Deepti Sharma’s Day With The Bat

Deepti Sharma’s contribution was equally significant. Initially playing second fiddle to Rodrigues, Sharma found her rhythm as the innings progressed. Employing a wide array of strokes, she kept the pressure on the bowlers, especially targeting the gaps in the outfield. 

Sharma’s 93 off 84 balls was laced with ten boundaries and two sixes, and her ability to rotate the strike effectively kept the innings fluid even as wickets fell around her. Richa Ghosh added a late flourish with a brisk 20 off just 12 balls, striking two boundaries and a six to push India past the 300-run mark.

India Cross The 300 Run Mark

Despite being in a strong position at 314/6 in the 49th over, India lost three quick wickets in the final overs, including the well-set Sharma, who was caught by Tryon off de Klerk. The late wickets prevented India from reaching the 350-run mark, but a total of 337/9 was more than competitive.

For South Africa, Masabata Klaas and Nadine de Klerk were the standout bowlers, each claiming two wickets but also leaking runs at over six per over. Nonkululeko Mlaba endured a particularly tough day, conceding 71 runs in her eight overs. 

Chloe Tryon, despite going wicketless for the majority of her spell, maintained an economy of 5.75 and claimed the crucial wicket of Mandhana. The South African bowlers struggled to find consistency and were often erratic with their lines, allowing India to capitalize on loose deliveries and keep the run rate ticking throughout the innings.

India’s clinical batting display, led by Rodrigues and Sharma, set the stage for a challenging chase, leaving South Africa to ponder what might have been had they managed to contain the Indian middle order more effectively.

South Africa Faces An Uphill Task 

Chasing a formidable target of 338, South Africa’s innings commenced under immense pressure, with India’s bowlers setting the tone early. Amanjot Kaur struck in the second over, removing Lara Goodall for just 4 runs with a well-directed delivery that found the outside edge and landed comfortably in Richa Ghosh’s gloves. 

This early setback put South Africa on the back foot, forcing Tazmin Brits and Miane Smit to consolidate.

Brits and Smit attempted to weather the storm, constructing a cautious 63-run stand. Smit displayed grit, facing 54 balls for her 39 runs, striking five boundaries while rotating the strike to keep the scoreboard ticking. 

However, her innings came to an end when Deepti Sharma trapped her in front, a pivotal breakthrough that broke South Africa’s momentum. Brits, who had played a steady hand for her 26, fell to Amanjot Kaur soon after, slicing a catch to Jemimah Rodrigues at cover. By the 15th over, South Africa found themselves at a precarious 70/2.

Annerie Dercksen Continues To Impress

Annerie Dercksen, the standout performer of the innings, strode to the crease with a sense of purpose. She combined composure with calculated aggression, anchoring the innings while launching counter-attacks whenever the opportunity arose. 

Dercksen’s partnership with Nondumiso Shangase added a vital 70 runs, steadying South Africa after the early jolts. Shangase played a vital supporting role, scoring 36 off 36 balls with four boundaries before Pratika Rawal’s clever change of pace deceived her, resulting in a simple catch to Harleen Deol at point.

Dercksen, undeterred by the loss of partners, continued to find gaps with precision, manipulating the field and accelerating when necessary. Her 81 off 80 deliveries was a brilliant display of controlled aggression, punctuated by five boundaries and two towering sixes. However, Amanjot Kaur returned to snuff out the danger, inducing a false shot that ended Dercksen’s gutsy innings in the 45th over.

Chloe Tryon’s Memorable Cameo

As the required run rate escalated, Chloe Tryon shouldered the responsibility of keeping South Africa’s hopes alive. The skipper unleashed an explosive display of power hitting, clobbering four boundaries and five massive sixes in a breathtaking 67 off 43 balls. 

Her audacious strokeplay brought South Africa within striking distance, but Deepti Sharma’s accuracy under pressure proved decisive. Sharma delivered a crucial blow in the 49th over, deceiving Tryon with a flighted delivery that spun sharply and crashed into the stumps, effectively ending South Africa’s chances.

Sinalo Jafta and Nadine de Klerk attempted to revive the chase with brisk cameos, with de Klerk scoring a quickfire 22 off 13 balls, but the required rate had already spiraled out of reach. 

India’s bowlers maintained discipline but struggled in phases, with Amanjot Kaur emerging as the pick of the attack, finishing with 3 for 59. Deepti Sharma’s 2 for 57 included two crucial dismissals that stemmed the flow of runs, while Pratika Rawal and Shree Charani each chipped in with a wicket at vital junctures.

Despite South Africa’s spirited effort, the Indian bowlers executed their plans effectively, utilizing variations and maintaining pressure with accurate lines and lengths. The disciplined performance ensured that India successfully defended their formidable total of 337, sealing a comprehensive 23-run victory and securing their spot in the final.

Brief Scores: Women’s Tri Nation Series 2025: India vs South Africa – Match 5

India: 337/9 in 50 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 123, Deepti Sharma 93, Smriti Mandhana 51; Masabata Klaas 2/51, Nadine de Klerk 2/54) defeated South Africa: 314/7 in 50 overs (Annerie Dercksen 81, Chloe Tryon 67, Miane Smit 39; Amanjot Kaur 3/59, Deepti Sharma 2/57) by 23 runs.

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