Will in-form India make short work of South Africa yet again?

Chennai: After a gripping one-off Test, India and South Africa women will be back in white-ball action when the three-match T20I series gets underway at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Friday. The series will be a dress rehearsal for both the teams in the run up to the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup.
After the series, India – the defending champions – will travel to Sri Lanka for the T20 Asia Cup.The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side has showcased their supremacy against the Proteas throughout the home assignment with a clean sweep in ODIs and a 10-wicket win in the one-off Test. The South Africans would be desperate to stop the flow of runs – which are being scored not only through sheer power but also with a touch of finesse – by the India top-order.
Smriti Mandhana, the hosts’ lethal opening batter, has been in red-hot form across formats and will be raring to extend her dream run. Then, of course, there is the other opener, who is heading into the match after a record-breaking double-century in the Test. Young and aggressive Shafali Verma could prove to be a nightmare for the SA bowlers.
India’s bowling will be tested with the return of the dynamic and experienced Chloe Tryon, who could single-handedly turn the game on its head. Lead spinner Deepti Sharma will be joined by left-arm tweaker Radha Yadav, who is yet to fire and will look to cash in on the Chepauk pitch, which traditionally assists the slow bowlers.
India batter Jemimah Rodrigues, who is a live wire on the field, outlined the team’s focus on consistency. “We just want to keep doing what we are doing consistently. Consistency and doing well each time we are on the field – that is what we are striving for. We are going to take most of the experience,” Jemimah said.
SA’s fortunes could revolve around their top-order batters Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp and the tourists have enough firepower to upset the hosts in their own backyard. Right-arm medium pacer Kapp, who is yet to bowl in the tour, could also come in handy with the ball. There are chances for rain to lash the city and the weather might play spoilsport in the series opener.