650 runs is an achievement for women's cricket – Harmanpreet Kaur

Four centuries, almost 650 runs scored in an ODI and a thrilling final over, India-W’s second clash against South Africa had all the necessary ingredients that are needed to define a thriller.

Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur smashed a century alongside Smriti Mandhana as India piled up 325. She was also the Player of the Match for her defining knock that saw the Women in Blue seize the bragging rights comprehensively.

Talking at the post-match presentation, Harmanpreet Kaur said, “Today, both the teams batted well, 650 runs is an achievement for women's cricket, happy with the way both teams played today. We were up to the mark with our batting, the ball did a bit in the first few overs, but when it got better, we batted really well. But as a bowling unit, we'll have to rethink, today was a batting track, but we can do better with the ball.”

Heaping praises on Smriti’s bowling, Harmanpreet said, “In the camp, all the batters bowled, Smriti kept on telling me 'that she was a great bowler' and asked us to show faith. It was good to see her take a wicket.”

Acknowledging the brilliance of Deepti Sharma, Kaur said, “She has a lot of experience (on Deepti), she's someone who can always take us wickets, I said the same for her today, she got the big wicket of Kapp. I can clearly go to her, she has the skills.”

She concluded by talking about herself, stating, “I was batting well in the first game but got out. I didn't want to give up, I decided against giving up, I went in early today, had worked a lot, my mindset was positive and fresh and I executed my skills.”