India Women’s U19 (A) suffer a hat-trick of losses

Having swallowed the bitter pill of defeat in their first two matches, India Women’s U19 (A) lost yet another one in this Women’s U19 T20 Triangular Series. The Sanika Chalke-led side went down to South Africa Women’s U19 for the second time in this tournament. India Women’s U19 (A) fell 22 runs shy of the 157-run target.

Chasing a competitive score, India Women’s U19 (A) were on track till the half way stage having piled up 71 runs for the loss of two wickets in 10.2 overs. Opening batter Sasthi Mondal (31) and captain Chalke (24) gave a solid start. But after their departure, things went haywire for India Women’s U19 (A). Though Bhavika Ahire (29) fought hard she wasn’t able to guide her team home. South Africa Women’s U19 captain Kayla Reyneke and Jemma Botha were outstanding with the ball as they claimed two wickets each.

Early in the day, Reyneke dazzled with the ball too, as she top-scored with a quickfire 67 off just 37 balls. Her unbeaten innings was laced with four fours and three sixes as she sent the Indian bowlers on a leather hunt. India Women’s U19 (A) bowlers, who bore the brunt of Reyneke’s blitz, had a tough day at office. Joshitha VJ, Bidisha Dey, Sonam Yadav, and Chandni Sharma managed to pick one wicket apiece but in the end that didn’t prove to be enough.

Brief Scores: South Africa Women’s U19 156/4 in 20 overs (K Reyneke 60; B Dey 1/25) beat India Women’s U19 (A) 134/6 in 20 overs (S Mondal 31; J Botha 2/17) by 22 runs