SA-W vs IND-W Match

11:59 PM IST The Tri-Nation Series in Sri Lanka is heating up, and Match 5 brings another intense battle as South Africa Women take on India Women in Colombo. Both teams come into his game with contrasting results. The Women in Blue started with a couple of wins, but faced defeat in their last game against the host nation. For the Rainbow Nation, it is a knockout - win and stay alive or lose the chance to make it to the final. South Africa Women are still reeling from what could’ve been. Their campaign began with a narrow defeat to India, where Tazmin Brits lit up the game with a sensational century, nearly pulling off an incredible chase. That heartbreak was followed by another tough outing against Sri Lanka, where they couldn’t quite hold their nerve. But if there’s one thing this side has shown, it’s fight. Brits has been in the form of her life, Laura Wolvaardt remains a pillar of class at the top, and all-rounder Nadine De Klerk brings the experience and firepower every time she steps onto the field. Sune Luus and Annerie Dercksen add depth and muscle to the middle order, while Ayabonga Khaka and Nonkululeko Mlaba will be key in the bowling department if the Proteas want to hold back a dangerous Indian line-up. India Women, too, started strong with a win over Sri Lanka and South Africa, only to stumble against the spirited hosts in their last game. That loss will sting, but this is a team brimming with depth and character. Smriti Mandhana has looked elegant at the top, while Pratika Rawal has been in scintillating touch in this format already notching up a couple of fifties in this series. Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh are reliable in the middle overs. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur will want to lead from the front after a quiet game last time around. The bowling has been sharp with Arundhati Reddy swinging it early, Kashvee Gautam growing in stature, and the spin trio of Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, and Shree Charani tightening the screws through the middle. Both teams have a point to prove and momentum to gain. With the standings delicately poised, and just one more league match left after this, it’s about seizing the moment. Expect pressure, passion, and top-quality cricket - because in Colombo, every run and wicket is starting to count.