Ball by Ball Commentary & Live Score - IND-W vs SA-W, Only Test (2024)

, IND-W

4:25pm That brings us to the end of our coverage for this Test match. Hope you enjoyed it just as much as we loved bringing it to you. These two sides will be at it again in a few days' time, engaging in what promises to be a thrilling T20I series. If you somehow missed out on the action from today (or the last three days), Srindhi's report should have you covered. Until next time, this is goodbye from me, Srinidhi, Sudeep, Vairavan and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo. Take care, folks!

Sneh Rana, Player of the Match: Feeling great, whenever you can contribute for your team, especially in such situations, it is an amazing feeling and cannot describe in words. (On how the body is after fielding for so many overs) Body is very fresh (laughs). At the start, it was difficult for the spinners. Later on, there was spin and bounce. I would want to give credit to the South African batters for the way they batted. But hats off to our Indian bowlers. Playing Tests is special and to get Player of the Match, I cannot describe it. It is beyond words. Just before I leave, you (Murali Kartik) said before in an interview that playing off-spinners is considered easier, but hopefully today some people have got answers to that question (smiles).

Harmanpreet Kaur, India captain: It was not easy. They batted really well. They did not give us an easy win and we had to work hard for it. Credit goes to Smriti and Shafali who set up a platform for us. Everyone in the team, they contributed well with the bat. The way we fielded, it was not easy to field for so many overs. Hats off to our bowlers, especially our spinners. They kept bowling and had that belief that they could take those wickets to win us the game. All of them. The way they played the last two Tests, they showed that trust that they can keep bowling and keep creating chances. Even our medium pacers, they did the job whenever the opportunity came. Credit to each and every one, and even the support staff. We had positive talks with them (support staff) and the atmosphere in the team created that energy. (On handling three spinners) It was tough but the way they were bowling, they were creating opportunities. (On the mindset heading into day four) When we came in the morning, we knew we had just 100 runs in the pocket and that we had to be careful, not giving them easy boundaries. But we also had to keep looking for wickets. We planned really well and stuck to that.

Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa captain: The character shown by the group has been incredible. To concede 500 runs on day one was not ideal, and not many people felt we could take it into day four. Very proud of the group. Lot of little areas you can look at. We were fighting very hard to get the draw. Each batter feels they could have hung around a little longer. Had we restricted them to a lower total - lots of moments we can look at. Each and every batter had that mindset to bat as long as they could. Players like Nadine and Marizanne, who are known for their attacking batting, the way they grafted, it was very heart-warming. I thought we had it at the end of yesterday and was really hoping we could see it out (today).

Sujatha : "India would have taken a 10 wicket win after the toss. They were thoroughly tested. Their patience was rewarded"

Amol Muzumdar, India head coach: We played against England, we won, it was a historic Test match. Then we played against Australia, we won that and now this one. I would say this one was a real test of character for both teams. Fantastic Test match to watch and fantastic match for all the players also. No better advertisem*nt than this Test match. It did (become tough, bowling after enforcing the follow-on) but at the same time, we had a clue about the pitch on day one. It was on the slower and lower side. We thought even if they get ahead in the game, we might have a chance to chase it down. Full credit to their batters, who applied themselves really well and put up a good show. For a day and a half, we were properly tested. The second session on day three, where we made them follow-on but we could not pick up any wickets. Luus and Wolvaardt played really well. Credit to them, but hats off to our girls as well. They stuck it out, fought hard and every wicket was earnt. Credit to every single player, even the reserve players.

Shafali Verma: I was just trying to back my strengths and take time. Lot of hard work and hard work pays off. I wanted to (hit big strokes in the chase) but thought this was a Test match (chuckles) and then played (more sedately). (On adapting to Test cricket) It is about the mind only, and if you can adapt. By god's grace, I can do well for the team. (On being out in the field) It was very tough. It was very humid but whoever wins a Test match, usually has to field twice and we are happy to do that.

Dillon du Preez, South Africa head coach: If you go back to Friday, the second session, we were on the back foot already. To be here, with an hour to go on day four, it was a hell of a fight from the team. Proud of them. I think our bowling let us down a bit. We had to set fields for both sides of the wicket. Getting sent back in, it is about survival and you also need to score runs. It is something to work on and we will get there. (On the batting) It was a good performance. There were one or two balls, one that stayed low in the first innings, had that not happened, you think what difference it would have made to the game. We will take one or two positive things from this and work on our skill.

3:52pm India have done it. Finally. It took them much longer than it seemed, especially after they enforced the follow-on. But now, they are where they would have wanted to be, even if South Africa walk back slightly disappointed but with their heads held high post a valiant second-innings display.

Not a lot to dissect from this run-chase. The damage had been done much earlier, from a South African perspective. They tried everything they could but just could not come back from India's mammoth first innings with the bat. There will be many positives, most notably the way their batters acquitted themselves, despite being so far behind. and they will draw inspiration from that, heading into the T20I series against India.

India, on the other hand, will be pleased with how this game panned out. They arrived, wanting a win, and they will leave the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai having accomplished that objective. It was fitting that Shafali, who set this game up, was at the crease when the winning runs were hit, with Shubha, playing just her second Test, also getting the opportunity to ice a cake India did well to put together over the first three days.

And we go into another over. Surely this is where India cross the finish line? Tucker to continue from around the wicket

India one hit away from a win now. Will Shafali look to finish it off in style?

Just eight runs needed now. Mlaba to continue