Deepti Sharma Rescues India, Averts T20I Series Whitewash vs South Africa women’s cricket team

A seasoned Deepti Sharma delivered a match-winning all-round performance, including her maiden five-wicket haul in T20Is, to power India to a 14-run victory over South Africa women’s cricket team in the fourth women’s T20I on Saturday.

With South Africa already holding an unassailable 3-0 lead, they looked on course for a clean sweep after restricting India to 185 for five. But Deepti (5/19), who also contributed an unbeaten 36, turned the game with crucial strikes in the middle overs to limit the hosts to 171 for nine.

DEEPTI TURNS THE GAME

South Africa mounted a strong chase through Sune Luus (40) and Tazmine Brits (30), who stitched a 54-run stand for the second wicket. However, Deepti broke the partnership by clean bowling Luus, triggering a collapse.

She went on to remove Annerie Dercksen, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhu and Ayabonga Khaka, dismantling the middle order and sealing India’s win.

INDIA POST 185/5

Earlier, India failed to fully capitalise on promising starts against a disciplined South African attack.

After being put in, India lost Shafali Verma early, while Anushka Sharma—playing in place of the rested Smriti Mandhana—scored 23. At 47 for two after the Powerplay, India needed stability.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (22) and Jemimah Rodrigues (43) provided it with a brisk 55-run stand. Rodrigues stood out, hammering spinner Nonkhu Mlaba for 24 runs in an over, including two towering sixes.

However, both set batters fell just as India looked to accelerate.

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Deepti (36* off 26) and Richa Ghosh (34* off 18) then combined for an unbeaten 65-run stand to push India to 185. The duo added 56 runs in the final five overs, giving the bowlers a competitive total to defend.

India’s bowlers, led by Deepti, ensured it was enough to avoid a series whitewash.