🏏ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Group A: SA W vs Ind W, Pg 12🏏 - Page 13

What they said:

"We all know the kind of quality Radha brings to the bowling unit. It's only a matter of getting an opportunity. The kind of opportunity she has got on this tour, she has performed over there. It's just the team combination that we are looking up into. She adds a different dynamic when it comes to fielding. When it comes to batting as well, she's a contributor. [If] She gets that opportunity, we are very confident that will perform to the kind of potential she has. The work ethic she's showing and the way she is practicing each and every day and taking those practice sessions in a way where she's developing session by session" - Aavishkar Salvi, India's bowling coach.

"[We] didn't start the competition the way we wanted to, but just wanting to play to our full capabilities. We know what the team can bring, the brand of cricket that we play is very aggressive. We can't really focus on what has happened elsewhere. Probably haven't played our best cricket. Still got over the line against Pakistan, but still a little bit nervy." - Chloe Tryon, South African all-rounder.

You go women in Blue... Fly your banner high ... I hope by the time the next morning shines in India, our smiles will also be shining with Indian women turning out to be the winners of today's match.

PS: Thank you Madhuri Di for the tag.

Originally posted by: Viswasruti

🏏South Africa Women vs India Women, 18th Match, Group A🏏

Series: ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026

Venue: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

Date & Time: Today, 2:30 PM LOCAL

South Africa have lost to Australia, and in a bid to gain a massive Net Run Rate advantage, struggled their way past Pakistan. But India, despite two big wins, are far from the version they would like to present of themselves. Concerns are aplenty: the middle order - barring Richa Ghosh - hasn't come to the party, the No 5. is still a bit of a toss-up between Yastika Bhatia and Bharti Fulmali, and the bowling attack is now without the services of Shreyanka Patil, one of the team's best operators in the death.

The uncapped Prema Rawat, drafted into the team as Shreyanka's replacement, had a long stint in the nets on Thursday, the morning of her arrival. However, Aavishkar Salvi, the bowling coach, has backed Radha Yadav - the team's other spin option - to come good if presented with an opportunity. Radha had a fairly productive range-hitting session a day ahead of the match, tonking some long sixes - especially over deep cover region. Even as her bowling stocks have gone down over the past few years, given her record against South Africa (16 wickets at 15.81), she could be a useful addition to the line-up, that would also be aided by her batting muscle at No. 8.

Thank you for the tags!

Thanks for the tag Madhu.

May the best team win.

Cheers..

India come into this contest on the back of successive wins against Pakistan and Netherlands. While their bowling unit has looked fairly settled, the batting has appeared slightly vulnerable at times — something a strong South African side will be keen to exploit. An unfortunate injury to Shreyanka Patil in the last game means India will be forced into a change, with Radha Yadav the most likely replacement. Will they bring back the powerful hitter Bharti Fulmali, or persist with Yastika Bhatia for another game? We’ll find out soon.

A special presentation being made in the Indian huddle. It's for Harmanpreet Kaur who plays her 200th match today. Smriti Mandhana makes a speech and then presents her with a jersey which says "Harman 200". Before that, coach Amol Muzumdar had paid tribute to the captain and given her a special cap as well.

By their own high standards in recent ICC events, South Africa have been slightly below par in this tournament. They were outplayed by Australia in their opening game and managed only a narrow win against Pakistan. Their batting unit is yet to click collectively and will be hoping for more stability at the top of the order. Having already played Australia at this venue in Manchester, they will look to draw on that experience today. A win here is crucial to keep their semifinal hopes alive, and expect them to come out all guns blazing.

By their own high standards in recent ICC events, South Africa have been slightly below par in this tournament. They were outplayed by Australia in their opening game and managed only a narrow win against Pakistan. Their batting unit is yet to click collectively and will be hoping for more stability at the top of the order. Having already played Australia at this venue in Manchester, they will look to draw on that experience today. A win here is crucial to keep their semifinal hopes alive, and expect them to come out all guns blazing.

A special presentation being made in the Indian huddle. It's for Harmanpreet Kaur who plays her 200th match today. Smriti Mandhana makes a speech and then presents her with a jersey which says "Harman 200". Before that, coach Amol Muzumdar had paid tribute to the captain and given her a special cap as well.

Ind W won the toss and opted to bat first

Teams:

South Africa Women (Playing XI): Laura Wolvaardt(c), Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Dane van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon(w), Sinalo Jafta, Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

India Women (Playing XI): Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Richa Ghosh(w), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Arundhati Reddy, Shree Charani, Nandni Sharma