India registered a 14-run victory over South Africa, successfully defending a total for the first time in the series, thanks to Deepti Sharma’s all-round brilliance. Her maiden five-wicket haul in T20Is played a decisive role as India reduced the deficit to 3-1 with one match remaining.
India 185 for 5 (Rodrigues 43, Deepti 36*, Ghosh 34*, Reyneke 2-10, Marx 2-28)
beat South Africa 171 for 9 (Luus 40, Brits 30, Deepti 5-19) by 14 runs
After three unsuccessful attempts at defending totals, India finally held their nerve to deny South Africa what would have been their second-highest T20I chase. The result raised concerns about the hosts’ depth while providing India with some much-needed clarity.
Deepti Delivers with Bat and Ball
A key question heading into the match was Deepti Sharma’s form, and she responded emphatically. She contributed an unbeaten 36 from 26 balls and shared a crucial 65-run stand with Richa Ghosh for the sixth wicket, helping India post 185.
She then followed it up with a career-best bowling performance, finishing with 5 for 19 — her first five-wicket haul in T20Is.
However, India also faced a potential injury setback. Already missing Amanjot Kaur (back) and Arundhati Reddy (cleared after scans for a suspected side strain), they saw Kranti Gaud leave the field on a golf cart in the penultimate over after appearing to injure her ankle while chasing a boundary. Gaud had completed her spell, returning 1 for 33, including the key wicket of Laura Wolvaardt, ending her run of five consecutive international 50-plus scores.
South Africa Fall Short Despite Steady Start
South Africa’s dependence on Wolvaardt was evident as no batter surpassed Sune Luus’ 40. Their biggest partnership was a modest 44 between Luus and Tazmin Brits.
With Nadine de Klerk rested, the batting lineup lacked depth, though that offered little consolation given the outcome.
Brits Produces Moment of Brilliance
Tazmin Brits, batting at No. 3, made her impact in the field. India lost Shafali Verma early, caught on the boundary by Annerie Dercksen, but still reached 47 within the powerplay.
On the final ball of the sixth over, Brits pulled off a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Anushka Sharma for 27 off 18 balls, ending a promising innings.
India Stumble After Strong Position
Jemimah Rodrigues was bowled by Kayla Reyneke after adding 55 runs with Harmanpreet Kaur, leaving India well-placed at 102 for 3 in the 12th over.
However, a brief collapse followed under contentious circumstances. Bharti Fulmali, playing her first T20I since 2019, survived an early chance but was later given out lbw for 2 by Eliz-Mari Marx in a decision that could have been debated. With no reviews available, she had to depart.
In the next over, Harmanpreet attempted a cut off Reyneke, and wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta appealed as though there was an edge. Although the umpire did not signal out, Harmanpreet walked off, leaving India at 120 for 5 after losing three wickets for 18 runs in quick succession.
Luus Leads the Chase
With Wolvaardt dismissed early by Gaud, bowled through the bat-pad gap, Sune Luus stepped up. She was already set on 19 off 13 balls at that stage and continued to build her innings while Brits regained rhythm.
Luus found some fortune with an edge past the keeper for four but responded with clean hitting, including a boundary and a six off Gaud. She looked on course for a third consecutive fifty before falling for 40 off 24 balls.
Her dismissal came when Deepti Sharma struck, bowling her with a delivery that stayed low as Luus advanced down the pitch.
Deepti Completes Memorable Comeback
Luus’ wicket marked the start of Deepti’s decisive spell. She next dismissed Annerie Dercksen, who was beaten by a shorter delivery and bowled for 9.
After returning figures of 2 for 7 in her initial overs, Deepti was brought back in the 15th over with South Africa needing 67 from 36 balls. She removed Kayla Reyneke, who was on 21 off 18, as she attempted to clear the boundary but was caught at deep square leg.
Deepti capped her performance in the penultimate over, trapping Ayabonga Khaka lbw and then deceiving Tumi Sekhukhune in flight, leading to a stumping. It completed a standout performance that secured India’s victory.
