Clinical India down South Africa, set up women's Tri-Nation ODI series final with Sri Lanka

Jemimah Rodrigues (Pic: AFP)

Jemimah Rodrigues produced a career-best century, while Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma chipped in with fluent half-centuries to power India to a spirited 23-run triumph over South Africa in the Women's Tri-Nation ODI series on Wednesday. With this win, the Women in Blue secured a spot in the final against Sri Lanka.

Rodrigues lit up the innings with a blazing 123 off 101 deliveries, peppered with 15 boundaries and a six, as India posted an imposing 337 for nine. The bowlers, led by pacer Amanjot Kaur (3/59) and off-spinner Deepti (2/57), then held their nerve to restrict South Africa to 314/7 despite notable resistance from Annerie Dercksen (81) and stand-in captain Chloe Tryon (67).

India concluded their round-robin campaign with six points from four matches. Sri Lanka, currently on four points from three outings, can reach the final if they defeat South Africa on Friday. Meanwhile, South Africa, after suffering three straight defeats, are now out of the race for the title.

Showcasing their batting depth once more, India crossed the 300-run mark with Rodrigues anchoring the innings superbly. The 24-year-old stitched together an 88-run stand with Mandhana (51 off 64) and followed it up with a crucial 122-run partnership with Deepti (93 off 84), who narrowly missed out on a well-deserved century.

Rodrigues was eventually dismissed in the 43rd over, caught at point attempting an aerial shot over the off-side. Her departure briefly lifted South African spirits, but Deepti soon took control with a composed innings that included 10 boundaries and a couple of sixes. She was the eighth batter to fall, dismissed with just one delivery left, but the damage was already done.

Among South African bowlers, Masabata Klaas (2/51), Nadine de Klerk (2/54), and Nonkululeko Mlaba (2/71) were the most effective.

Chasing a daunting target, South Africa stumbled early as Lara Goodall fell for 7 in the second over. Though Tazmin Brits (26) and Miane Smit (39) built a 63-run stand, India's disciplined bowling, expertly rotated by skipper Harmanpreet, kept the scoring in check.

Annerie Dercksen and Tryon launched a spirited counterattack with a 72-run stand, but the required run rate proved too steep. The game paused briefly due to poor light with South Africa on 299 for six, and though Tryon and Nadine de Klerk added 15 more runs after resumption, the effort wasn't enough to prevent India's well-earned victory.