India Women Celebrate Dominant Test Win Against South Africa in Chennai

Jemimah Rodrigues and her India Women teammates were seen celebrating with the winners’ trophy after India won convincingly by ten wickets against South Africa in the one-off Test match at M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on July 1, 2024.

Despite South Africa’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt, scoring a determined century (122 runs from 314 balls with 16 boundaries), India dominated the entire match.

On the final morning, under overcast skies, South Africa resumed their innings at 232 for two, still trailing by 105 runs and needing to avoid being asked to follow on. Despite the challenging pitch conditions on the fourth day, South Africa showed resilience, extending the match into the final session after conceding a significant lead of 337 runs in the first innings.

Wolvaardt, who started the day on 93, reached her maiden Test century with a boundary to fine leg, displaying determination and steadiness despite a scratchy start the previous day. Her century marked a notable achievement following her twin centuries in the preceding ODIs.

However, India’s bowlers gradually dismantled South Africa’s lineup, with Sneh Rana and Rajeshwari Gayakwad playing pivotal roles in securing key wickets.

Gayakwad dismissed Wolvaardt just before lunch with a delivery that kept low, trapping her leg before wicket. Despite Nadine de Klerk’s defiant half-century, South Africa struggled to build momentum, managing only 34 runs in the second session.

De Klerk’s resistance briefly raised hopes of salvaging a draw, but India’s relentless bowling attack eventually proved too much as Rajeshwari dismissed her, leaving South Africa with a slim lead of 35 runs.

India’s pursuit of 37 runs for victory was swift and efficient, as openers Shefali Verma and Subha Sathesh guided their team to a commanding ten-wicket triumph, marking India’s third consecutive Test victory following previous wins against England and Australia.

The victory celebration encapsulated India’s dominance in the match and highlighted the team’s strong form in Test cricket, underlining their growing stature in the women’s game globally.