The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side made a clinical start to their series, defeating Sri Lanka by nine wickets in a rain-curtailed opener. After spinners Sneh Rana (3/31) and debutant Shree Charani (2/26) helped bowl the home team out for 147 in a reduced 39-over contest, the Women in Blue chased the target with ease. Smriti Mandhana (43), partnering with Pratika Rawal (50*), gave a solid beginning to the chase. Later, with Harleen Deol’s valuable contribution (48*), India easily crossed the line with nine wickets and 56 balls to spare.

Meanwhile, South Africa is coming into this series on the back of a disappointing across-format defeat at the hands of England in their own backyard. With this series being important for their preparations for the WODI World Cup, the Laura Wolvaardt-led side will look to put up a strong performance. Notably, the side are without allrounder Marizanne Kapp and batter Anneke Bosch.

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Match Details

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Pitch Report

The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo has always provided a balanced contest between bat and ball. With 15 WODIs played here, teams batting first have won eight times. Early on, batters will enjoy the ball coming onto the bat nicely. Pacers are likely to get some help in the first 10 overs, due to the overcast conditions. With the ball getting softer and the pitch wearing, spinners will come into play. Winning the toss and bowling first might prove to be the key.

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Head-to-Head Record

India Women (IND-W)

Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh(w), Deepti Sharma, Kashvee Gautam, Arundhati Reddy, Sneh Rana, Nallapureddy Charani

South Africa Women (SA-W)

Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka Nondumiso Shangase, Chloe Tryon

India’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana could be the best batter in the second match of the series against the South African Women. The southpaw was in fine form in the opener against Sri Lanka as she smashed a quick-fire knock of 43. In her 46 deliveries, she hit six boundaries and stitched an important 54-run opening stand with Pratika Rawal. Mandhana will be riding high on confidence and looks to carry the same form in this game.

South African pacer Annerie Dercksen could be the best bowler in the upcoming series against the Indian Women. Dercksen in the previous home fixture against England was the third highest wicket-taker of the series with five scalps in three games. With the ball expected to swing initially due to the overcast conditions, the 24-year-old will be a potential threat to the Indian batters.