SA-W vs IND-W: Deepti Sharma's all-round heroics power India to 14-run win in 4th T20I

After three successive losses, India women finally tasted victory over South Africa women in the fourth T20I on Saturday, April 25, at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. After being put in to bat first, India posted a good score of 185/5 in their allotted 20 overs with valuable contributions from Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma (36* off 26) and Richa Ghosh (34* off 18). 

In reply, South Africa were restricted to 171/9 as Deepti Sharma ran through their batting with her maiden five-wicket haul. As a result, India registered a 14-run victory and saved themselves from a whitewash with one more match remaining in the series.

Earlier, India started the innings with a new opening pair of Shafali Verma and Anushka Sharma as Smriti Mandhana was rested. While Shafali departed cheaply for 9 (9), Anushka impressed with her brief cameo of 27 (18). India finished the powerplay on 47/2 with both openers back in the hut.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur (22 off 16) walked in at number four and took the team’s score past 100 with a 55-run stand off 32 balls with Jemimah Rodrigues. However, the Indian innings was halted as Kayla Reyneke dismissed both set batters while Bharti Fulmali (2 off 4) was trapped in front by Eliz-mari Marx to leave the visitors on 120/5 after 13.4 overs.

In the end, an unbeaten 65-run stand off 38 balls between Deepti Sharma (36* off 26) and Richa Ghosh (34* off 18) for the sixth wicket, helped India cross the 180-run mark.

In the second innings, Kranti Gaud struck in the powerplay, getting the all-important scalp of Laura Wolvaardt (18 off 14) by shattering her stumps. After losing their captain, Sune Luus (40 off 24) and Tazmin Brits (30 off 23), kept their team in the hunt with a 44-run stand off 32 balls.

However, the spin wizardry of Deepti Sharma brought India back with her regular strikes in the middle overs as South Africa eventually fell short of their target. 

Top run-scorer of the Match

Top wicket-taker of the Match

Player of the Match

Deepti Sharma was deservedly adjudged Player of the Match for her all-round performance. She first scored an unbeaten 36* (26) to guide India to a good score, and later scalped a five-wicket haul to derail South Africa's chase.

Turning Point

South Africa seemed well on course to chase as Sune Luus (40 off 24) and Tazmin Brits (30 off 23) got involved in a 44-run stand off 32 balls. However, Deepti shattered Luus' stumps to bring the visitors back into the game and triggered a collapse. 

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, Harmanpreet Kaur (India Women):

Overall team effort. Everyone came up and contributed. Every partnership mattered a lot. That's what we spoke in team meetings (about showing a good approach). Conditions are really tough to be honest. Outfield is very wet. She is brilliant (Deepti). Someone who can contribute with both (bat and ball). We know series is not in our hands but it's about showing good approach.

Losing Captain, Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa Women):

On the losing side today. If we took our chances in the field, would've been chasing 10-20 less. We were in the chase all the way. Our job at the top is to maximise the powerplay as much as we can. Sune batted really well. Just didn't have that batter kicking on. She was great. Exciting game for her (Marx).