Surat: The Indian women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur said the team’s below-par batting show in the first T20 International against South Africa here had left her nervous before the bowlers rose to the challenge with a stellar effort.
Harmanpreet was the only Indian batswoman to play an impactful knock, scoring 43, while the rest of her colleagues failed to chip in with any notable contribution. India posted 130 after being put in to bat on Tuesday. The bowlers, led by player of the match Deepti Sharma(4/8), produced an impressive show to dismiss South Africa for 119 in 19.5 overs.
“I was nervous at the halfway stage but we knew that we’d have something for the bowlers. They did a great job,” Harmanpreet said after the match. She said the players have been working hard on their fitness.
“We were doing a lot of fitness (regimens) before coming here and we got the result on the field. The way we fielded and bowled, I was happy,” she said. She also her side still needs improvement in several areas, especially batting.
Star of the match Deepti said her effort was the “best bowling performance” of her career.
