South Africa Women completed a dominant T20I series triumph with a 23-run win over India Women in the fifth and final match in Benoni, sealing the contest 4-1. The result leaves India with key concerns ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England in June–July.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, South Africa made a strong start through Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus, who added 75 runs inside the first nine overs. Luus was dismissed for 23, stumped by Richa Ghosh off N Shree Charani despite a slight fumble, and wickets then fell at regular intervals.
Wolvaardt Anchors Late Surge
While the middle order struggled to build sustained partnerships, Wolvaardt remained steady at one end. South Africa slipped to 124 for 6 in 17.5 overs, but a late acceleration shifted momentum.
Sinalo Jafta contributed an unbeaten 16 from eight balls, while Wolvaardt finished strongly, including two consecutive sixes in Deepti Sharma’s final over, which yielded 16 runs. She remained unbeaten on 92 from 53 balls, striking at 164.28, as South Africa posted 155 for 6.
For India, Renuka Singh Thakur, N Shree Charani, and Deepti Sharma claimed two wickets each. Despite the early momentum, South Africa managed 80 for 5 in the last 11 overs after being 75 for 1 at the nine-over mark, as the pitch slowed and aided slower deliveries and spin.
India Falter in Chase
Chasing 156, India required a strong start but were unable to match South Africa’s powerplay. In the absence of Smriti Mandhana, Anushka Sharma and Shafali Verma opened the innings but struggled to build momentum. Shafali fell early, caught by Chloe Tryon, and Jemimah Rodrigues also failed to make an impact, leaving India at 28 for 2 after six overs.
Anushka managed 17 but found it difficult to accelerate, while Harmanpreet Kaur added 22 without making a significant contribution. Bharti Fulmali provided some resistance with 40 from 30 balls, attempting to rebuild the innings.
Richa Ghosh remained unbeaten on 25 from 15 balls, but with limited support from the rest of the lineup, India finished on 132 for 8.
South Africa Seal Series
South Africa’s bowlers shared the wickets effectively. Nadine de Klerk and Nonkululeko Mlaba picked up two each, while Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, and Eliz-Mari Marx contributed one apiece.
Laura Wolvaardt was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series. She finished with 330 runs across five innings at an average of 82.50 and a strike rate of 168.36, including three half-centuries and a century, leading her side to a comprehensive series victory.
