India were blighted by the same old mistakes as they slumped to a heavy 8-wicket defeat in the second T20I against South Africa at the Kingsmead in Durban on Sunday. In the series opener, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side were let down by a miserable middle order and the script remained unchanged as the Proteas raced to a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
After the first T20I, Smriti Mandhana admitted that the Indian batsmen failed to capitalize on a promising start and will look to rectify that. However, things only got worse on April 19 when another horrific middle-order collapse derailed the innings.
South Africa vs India Women’s 2nd T20I Update | Scorecard
It’s a recurring concern that India needs to address urgently, especially with the Women’s T20 World Cup fast approaching. The home side entered the series on the back of a 1-4 defeat to South Africa and will be pleased with how they bounced back.
ANUSHKA, SHAFALI GIVE INDIA A PLATFORM
After being asked to bat first, Smriti Mandhana took an ominous touch to smash Ayabonga Khaka for three fours in the second over. However, Chloe Tryon cut her stay short as Mandhana fouled her. Jemimah Rodrigues followed soon after, falling to Tryon for a single-digit score.
At the other end, Shafali Verma ensured India did not lose momentum. Playing her 100th T20IThe 22-year-old took on the bowlers and brought up a smooth fifty from 30 balls. She found support in debutant Anushka Sharma, who showed little signs of nerves.
On her very first ball in international cricket, Anushka got off the mark with a sharp boundary from Khaka. The Gujarat Giants batsman scored 28 off 31 deliveries, hitting three fours before becoming Tryon’s third victim. From there, the Indian innings began to unfold.
INDIA’S MIDDLE-ORDER CONTINUES
Soon after Anushka’s dismissal, Shafali went for 57 off 38 balls, an innings with seven fours and two sixes. From a comfortable 99 for two in 12.3 overs, India slumped 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.
Arundhati Reddy’s late success, hitting Khaka with a four and a six, helped India to 147. Tryon was South Africa’s standout with three wickets, while Tumi Sekhukhune provided solid support with figures of 3 for 31. Khaka, impressive in the series opener, endured a tough game and took 45 wickets without a single wicket.
More to follow…
– The end
Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
19 Apr 2026 20:41 IST
