Deepti Sharma’s All-Round Masterclass Powers India to Consolation Win Over South Africa
India’s women’s cricket team produced a spirited performance to register a 14-run victory over South Africa in the fourth T20I at Johannesburg, riding on an outstanding all-round display from Deepti Sharma.
While the result did not alter the fate of the series already sealed 3-0 in favour of the hosts it offered India a much-needed boost heading into the final match. At the heart of the win was Deepti Sharma, who delivered a complete performance with both bat and ball. Her unbeaten 36 off 26 balls helped India recover in the latter stages of their innings, before she returned to dismantle South Africa’s chase with a remarkable five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5/19 her maiden fifer in T20 internationals.
India, put in to bat, had a slightly unstable start after losing Shafali Verma early. With Smriti Mandhana rested, Anushka Sharma stepped in and contributed a brisk 23, ensuring the innings did not stall during the Powerplay. India reached 47/2 in the first six overs, setting a base but still needing acceleration.
That momentum came through a crucial partnership between captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues. The duo added 55 runs for the third wicket, stabilising the innings while maintaining a steady scoring rate. Rodrigues, in particular, looked in fine touch, striking 43 off 29 balls and taking on the South African spinners with confidence. Her aggressive over against Nonkhu Mlaba, which included two towering sixes, shifted the tempo in India’s favour.
However, just as India seemed poised for a strong finish, quick wickets disrupted their progress. Rodrigues fell attempting an ambitious shot, while Harmanpreet, who had looked fluent during her 22-run knock, was also dismissed shortly after. At that stage, India were in danger of falling short of a competitive total. It was then that Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh combined to produce the defining partnership of the innings. The pair stitched together an unbeaten 65-run stand for the sixth wicket, accelerating sharply in the final overs.
Richa Ghosh played the aggressor’s role with a quickfire 34 off 18 balls, while Deepti anchored the innings smartly, picking her moments to attack. The duo added 56 runs in the final five overs, pushing India to 185/5 a total that appeared competitive, though not entirely secure given South Africa’s batting depth. In response, South Africa began positively. Captain Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus looked comfortable at the crease, finding regular boundaries. Although Wolvaardt was dismissed early by Kranti Goud, Luus continued to counterattack, supported well by Tazmine Brits.
The pair added 54 runs for the second wicket, putting pressure back on India. At 72/1 inside eight overs, South Africa seemed well on course to chase down the target. The turning point came with the introduction of Deepti Sharma into the attack. She broke the partnership by dismissing Luus, who was beginning to dominate the innings. From that moment, the game shifted decisively.
Deepti’s spell was defined by control and variation. She removed key middle-order batters, including Annerie Dercksen and Kayla Reyneke, disrupting South Africa’s momentum. Her ability to vary pace and length made it difficult for the batters to settle. As wickets fell at regular intervals, the required run rate began to climb. Deepti continued to apply pressure, accounting for Tumi Sekhukhune and Ayabonga Khaka to complete her five-wicket haul. It was a clinical effort that effectively dismantled South Africa’s chase.
Despite some resistance from the lower order, South Africa were restricted to 171/9, falling short by 14 runs. The match also marked a milestone for wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, who became India’s most successful wicketkeeper in women’s T20Is in terms of dismissals, underlining her growing importance in the setup.
For India, the victory was significant beyond the scoreline. After three consecutive defeats, the team showed resilience and adaptability, particularly in how they recovered with the bat and controlled the game with the ball. Deepti Sharma’s performance stood out not just for the numbers, but for the timing of her contributions. At a moment when India needed both stability and impact, she delivered on both fronts.
With one match remaining in the series, India will look to carry this momentum forward. While the series result is already decided, performances like these provide valuable confidence and clarity as the team continues to build towards bigger international assignments.
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