Deepti Sharma’s all-round show helped India beat South Africa by 14 runs in the fourth women’s T20I in Johannesburg on Saturday. She picked up her maiden five-for in the format and also struck crucial 36 runs to help India register their first victory in the five-match series.
South Africa, who had an unassailable 3-0, looked good to extend the lead after restricting India to 185 for 5. But Deepti returned figures of 5 for 19 to restrict the hosts to 171 for 9.
South Africa tried to put up a fight through Sune Luus (40) and Tazmine Brits (30), who stitched together a 54-run stand for the second wicket. Luus, in particular, looked dangerous and seemed ready to take the game away after skipper Laura Wolvaardt had earlier been bowled by pacer Kranti Goud.
But once Deepti bowled Luus, the momentum completely shifted in India’s favour and they quickly tightened their grip on the match.
Deepti then removed Annerie Dercksen, power-hitter Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhu and Ayabonga Khaka to break the backbone of South Africa’s batting.
Batting first, India had a shaky start. Shafali Verma fell early to Eliz Marx and Anushka Sharma, who replaced the rested Smriti Mandhana, managed 23 before getting out.
At the end of the powerplay, India were 47 for two and needed a steady partnership. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur (22) and Jemimah Rodrigues (43) provided that, adding 55 runs for the third wicket in just over six overs.
Rodrigues looked in great touch, especially when she took on spinner Nonkhu Mlaba in the 11th over, smashing 24 runs with a flurry of boundaries and sixes. Two of those sixes, hit straight down the ground, were particularly impressive.
However, just when India seemed to be building momentum, Rodrigues, who had earlier been dropped on 18, missed a sweep shot off Reyneke and was bowled.
Harmanpreet also looked good during her stay, hitting a six off Marx and a boundary off Chloe Tryon, but Reyneke got her edge, and wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta completed the catch.
Towards the end, Deepti (36 not out off 26 balls) and Richa Ghosh (34 not out off 18 balls) added 65 runs to take India to a competitive total.
