India women aim for series win

Bengaluru: After a comprehensive win over South Africa women in the first ODI, India women will be keen to pocket the three-match series when the two teams square off in the second match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Wednesday.The way Harmanpreet Kaur-led India shone in the first contest, the home team starts favourite but South Africa will be eager to bounce back.Heading into the second ODI, India need their batters to get going, especially after the likes of Harmanpreet, Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues failed to make an impression in the series opener. Opener Smriti Mandhana was the saving grace with a well-paced century. When on a song, these Indian batters can make any team sweat with their skill sets. But with experienced medium pacers — Ayabonga Khaka and Masabata Klaas — in their ranks, South Africa can trouble India if they get assistance from the pitch.On the other hand, India’s bowlers, especially leg-spinner Asha Sobhana — after an impressive four-wicket haul on Sunday — will be keen to perform well once again. With off-spinner Deepti Sharma and pacer Renuka Singh too in their bowling line-up, India have the variety and depth to trouble the visitors. With Asha, who plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the WPL, well acquainted with the Chinnaswamy surface, she is keen on making good use of the conditions. “Chinnaswamy is special for me. Even before I was playing for RCB, Chinnaswamy was always special. From my U-19 days, whenever I bowl here, I got some advantage,” said Asha, who scalped one of the key South African wickets in the first ODI in the form of Marizanne Kapp.“I always stick to my basics and strengths. That is what I did. Variations are key. Kapp is one of my favourite players. They have some good players in their team, so we cannot bowl in the same way each time. We tried to vary the pace (in the first ODI) and make them commit some errors.” South Africa are aware about the need to bring their A game to challenge India and force the series into a decider. Like India, they would also want their batters to deliver.Most importantly, skipper and opener Laura Wolvaardt, who has been their in-form player, need to lead from the front to unsettle the home team. She would also need support from her experienced teammates, including Kapp and Sune Luus, to make an impact.Live, 1.30pm, Sports18