The big question is, is there too much pressure applied by the Indian media on their lassies to exploit Indian conditions and win the coveted World Cup? The looks of it are yes. The media hype and expectations on Smriti Mandana, Hampreet Kaur, Jemima Rodriguez, and the Indian top order batters to keep delivering have had its toll because so far they have not performed to expectations and yesterday was an example.
Put into bat India slumped to 102 for 6 wickets with super star Smiriti Mandana bowled for 23, Pradika Rawal out for 37, as the excellent power play score the pair stitched 55 for no loss, ultimately tilted to 102 for 6 wickets as the South African bowlers led by Marrizane Kapp, made the top order look very ordinary against quality bowling and fielding by the Proteas.
Chole Tyrone was exceptional with 3 for 32, left arm orthodox spinner Malaba 2 for 46, and Marrizane Kapp 2 for 45 kept the Indian lassies under scrutiny
Richa Ghose, the wicket keeper batter batting at number 7, comes to Indian batters rescue with power hitting to World class standards as she thumped 94 in 77 deliveries with a strike rate of 122 .06 smashing 11 boundaries and 4 massive sixes, with support from Sneha Rana 33 from 27 balls, was an exhibition of power hitting.
The South Africans choked after being in command, ffscalping 6 wickets for 102 runs, and then leaking 251 runs to India, at the back end was a ripleys, believe it or not, scenario. y
Scoreboard pressure had the Proteas struggling on 85 for 5 wickets in the 20th over. The biased Indian commentators led by Anjum Chopra, who incidentally is too verbal as a commentator, already declared India the winners.
They spoke too early because, as a broadcaster, you areh expected to be unbiased, but in India, its India only outlook. The opposition is just a team and whatever they do in terms of intermediate excellence, does not get a mention by these unfair Indianh commentators in whose book only India is the winner.
Little did India realise that opener Wolvaardt and all rounder Chole Tyrone had other ideas of building a simple partnership as they took a tottering South African outfit from a hopeless 81 for 5 wickets in the 20th over to 142 for 6 wickets when Laura Woolvardt departed after a well compiled 70.
Nadin de Klerk, who had a horrible day in the park with her fielding and bowling, joined Tyrone, and the pair played fearless cricket before Tyrone was dismissed for 49 with South Africa on 211 for 7 wickets in the 46th over.
It was time for an unexpected miracle that had the Indian fans andi commentators shell shocked, especially the Indian commentators as De Klerk opened her shoulders and gave the Indians a taste of their own medicine thumping the Indian bowlers for 5 sixes, 8 boundaries to remain unbeaten on 84 off 58 deliveries, as the might of India fell on the ground like Goliath against David back in the day.
Shell shocked India bowed their heads and walked off the field as the pin drop silence in the crowd was visible and the Indian commentators choked with nothing to boast of.
Great win by South Africa by 3 wickets with 7 balls to spare, so now the other teams know that India could be beaten in their own backyard.
India plays Australia on Sunda , and Sri Lankau will struggle against England tomorrow, whilst the New Zealand Bangladesh game today could raise a few eyebrows.