Deepti Sharma delivered a sensational all-round performance, including her maiden five-wicket haul in T20Is, to guide India women’s national cricket team to a 14-run victory over South Africa women’s national cricket team in the fourth T20I in Johannesburg on Saturday, April 25.
With South Africa already holding an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series, India produced a spirited comeback. After posting 185/5, the visitors rode on Deepti’s match-winning spell of 5/19 to restrict the hosts to 171/9.
Deepti had earlier played a crucial role with the bat, scoring a composed unbeaten 36 to lift India to a competitive total alongside Richa Ghosh, who contributed an unbeaten 34. The duo stitched together a vital 65-run partnership for the sixth wicket, adding 56 runs in the final five overs.
In response, South Africa were steady early on, with Sune Luus (40) and Tazmin Brits (30) adding 54 runs for the second wicket. However, Deepti turned the game on its head by dismissing Luus at a crucial juncture.
She went on to dismantle the middle and lower order, removing key batters including Annerie Dercksen, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, and Ayabonga Khaka to seal a memorable win.
Earlier, India had a mixed outing with the bat after being asked to bat first. Shafali Verma fell early, while Anushka Sharma, filling in for the rested Smriti Mandhana, scored 23 before departing.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur (22) and Jemimah Rodrigues (43) then steadied the innings with a 55-run stand. Rodrigues was particularly aggressive, smashing Nonkululeko Mlaba for 24 runs in a single over.
Despite losing momentum in the middle overs, India finished strongly thanks to Deepti and Richa’s late flourish, setting up a total that proved just enough.
The victory, though coming late in the series, showcased India’s resilience and was highlighted by Deepti Sharma’s standout all-round heroics.
