"The Indian team have invested a lot in her" - Reema Malhotra lauds Pooja Vastrakar's spell in 3rd IND vs SA T20I
Reema Malhotra has lauded Pooja Vastrakar for bowling a match-winning spell in the third T20I between India and South Africa. The former India leg-spinner noted that the all-rounder repaid the Women in Blue for the faith shown in her.
Vastrakar registered figures of 4/13 in 3.1 overs, as India bowled South Africa out for 84 in Chennai on Tuesday, July 9. The hosts then chased the target down with all 10 wickets and 55 deliveries to spare to level the three-match series 1-1.
During a discussion on Sports 18, Malhotra was asked about her thoughts on Vastrakar's spell.
"The Indian team have invested a lot in her. They have given her a lot of time to get ready. She was fighting injuries a little at the start but a new Pooja Vastrakar is being seen now. She has gained experience and has worked a lot on her fitness, which is clearly visible," she responded.
The cricketer-turned-commentator praised the seamer for troubling the batters with her immaculate lengths.
"If we talk about bowling, if a bowler knows which length to hit on a particular wicket, you can be a reason for headaches for the batters, and I feel that was seen today. We saw changes of pace, she bowled length bowls, and when you bowl a higher percentage of good balls, your control will look better, and that was seen in Pooja Vastrakar's bowling," Malhotra elaborated.
Vastrakar had the dangerous Marizanne Kapp caught by Shafali Verma at midwicket in the powerplay. She later dismissed Anneke Bosch, Nadine de Klerk, and Eliz-Mari Marx to complete her four-wicket haul.
"Smriti Mandhana's batting and Pooja Vastrakar's bowling" - Reema Malhotra on India's biggest positives from IND vs SA series
![Smriti Mandhana scored an unbeaten 54 in India's chase. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/51f2d-17205929957712-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same discussion, Reema Malhotra was further asked about the biggest positives for India from the multi-format series.
"Smriti Mandhana's batting and Pooja Vastrakar's bowling. If you tick those two boxes, you have got success now itself in your preparations for the World Cup. They are two major players," she replied.
Malhotra pointed out the crucial roles Smriti Mandhana and Pooja Vastrakar play for the Women in Blue.
"Other players are also important but if Smriti stays at the crease, she does not score 30s or 40s, she makes big scores, and you need an opener like that. Pooja bowls with the new ball in the powerplay and at the death, and gives you wickets in the middle overs," she explained.
Mandhana amassed 592 runs at an average of 118.40 in six innings in the multi-format series. Vastrakar picked up 13 wickets in eight innings, including eight scalps in the three T20Is.