South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt opted to bowl after winning the delayed toss because of rain as she expected “some movement early.” She expects it to be a “pretty high-scoring” affair and said South Africa made one change of bringing in Tumi Sekhukhume for Masabata Klaas, as a like for like. Klaas had gone wicketless in South Africa’s first two games.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur also wanted to bowl first but was prepared for her team to bat first and “hopefully set a decent total.” She confirmed Amanjot Kaur was back in the XI, having missed the Pakistan clash with a fever, in place of swing bowler Renuka Singh, who took 1 for 29 in the previous game.
It rained on the days in the lead up to the game and also just before the scheduled toss time when the entire ground has been covered. After a few inspections the toss eventually happened at 3.32pm local time, 62 minutes after it was supposed to, with the match set to start at 4pm, delayed by an hour, but with no overs lost.
It was overcast even when the toss happened but was slightly brighter than it was earlier.
India come into this game after two wins, against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and will top the table for now if they win here as well. South Africa started poorly after being rolled over for 69 by England in their opening game but bounced back with a convincing six-wicket win against New Zealand in Indore.
India: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Shree Charani, Kranti Goud
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta (wkt), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Tumi Sekhukhune, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba
(Cricinfo)
