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Debut ODI wickets don't get much better than fast-rising leg-spinner Asha Sobhana snapping up legendary Marizanne Kapp in the first match between India and South Africa of the all-format rubber in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Sobhana got the breakthrough in the 22nd over of South Africa's chase of 266. The visitors were reeling at 72/3, struggling to get any momentum and Kapp's attempts to slog her way out of the hole weren't working.
Sobhana smartly bowled it slow and wide of her reach on the third ball and Kapp took the bait, reaching out for the cover drive without any power behind it. She only spooned it to covers where captain Harmapreet Kaur made no mistake.
Watch the video here:
Harmanpreet had earlier handed Sobhana her maiden ODI cap. The 33-year-old's rise in Indian cricket has been quick and stunning.
After years of toil in domestic cricket, her life took a turn after Women's Premier League 2024 when she led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)'s title charge as the second-highest wicket-taker with 12 scalps in 10 matches at an average of 15.42. A T20I debut against Bangladesh in May was only a formality.
South Africa crumbled after Sobhana's wicket of Kapp
Although Kapp wasn't 100% fit for the match and was playing only as a specialist batter, her wicket was key to the context of the game because she has time and again shown the ability to get the Proteas out of such ruts.
Her wicket caused a bit of panic, as Annerie Dercksen gave a catch to backward point in Sobhana's next over which Jemmimah Rodrigues dropped. However, the Indian youngster was quick to react and get a throw in at the striker's end which caught the batter short. The well-set Sune Luus got out a few overs later as well.
Catch all the live action here.
