jamimah rodrigues

South Africa Women: After dominating the ODI series and one-off Test, the Indian women's cricket team went down to South Africa by 12 runs in the first T20I of the three-match series at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium here on Friday. In a low-scoring encounter, South Africa rode on half-centuries by Tazmin Brits (81 off 56 balls) and Marizanne Kapp (57 off 33 balls) to post 189/4 in 20 overs. The Indian women tried to stem the run flow with twin-wicket hauls each by Pooja Vastrakar (2-23) and Radha Yadav (2-40).

However, chasing 190, the Indians fell short narrowly despite Jamimah Rodrigues hammering 53 not out off 30 balls towards the end of the innings. India Women could manage only 177/4 in 20 overs to fall short by 12 runs.

Electing to field first, the Indian team struggled for the first breakthrough as South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt (33, 22b, 4x3, 6x2) and Tazmin Brits raised 50 runs for the opening wicket partnership. Radha Yadav broke the partnership when she got a slower one through the defenses of Wolvaardt, who played across the line and had her stumps disturbed.