India produced a timely statement in Johannesburg, leaning on an inspired all-round show from Deepti Sharma to defeat South Africa by 14 runs in the fourth T20I. While the series is already out of reach at 3-1 in favour of the hosts, the victory offered India clarity, confidence, and a reminder of their depth ahead of the finale.
Coming into the match under pressure after three successive defeats, India needed a complete performance. They found it through Deepti, who delivered in both disciplines at a crucial moment. Her unbeaten 36 off 26 balls and a career-best five-wicket haul turned the game on its head and halted South Africa’s momentum in the series.
India’s innings began on an uncertain note after early wickets, but Jemimah Rodrigues once again anchored the middle phase with composure. Her 43 off 29 balls ensured India did not lose direction, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur contributed a steady 22 to stabilize the innings. The pair stitched together a vital partnership that carried India past the 100-run mark and set a platform for acceleration. However, just as India looked set to dominate, a middle-order collapse threatened to undo their progress.
Quick wickets saw them slip to 120 for 5, raising concerns about whether they could post a competitive total. That is when Deepti stepped in, shifting the momentum alongside Richa Ghosh. The duo added an unbeaten 65-run stand for the sixth wicket, with Richa injecting urgency through a brisk 34* off 18 deliveries. Their late surge propelled India to an imposing 185 for 5 in 20 overs, a total that proved just enough.
South Africa’s chase began with intent, led by Sune Luus, who played a fluent knock of 40. Tazmin Brits also chipped in with 30, but the hosts struggled to build sustained partnerships. The absence of a big stand meant the required rate steadily climbed, placing pressure on the middle order.
India capitalized through disciplined bowling, with Deepti leading the charge. She broke the backbone of the chase by dismissing Luus at a crucial juncture, triggering a collapse that South Africa could not recover from. Her variations in flight and pace proved difficult to read, as she picked up wickets at regular intervals and finished with remarkable figures of 5 for 19.
Support came from the rest of the bowling unit as well. Youngsters like Kranti Gaud and Kashvee Gautam chipped in with key breakthroughs, while the fielding unit maintained pressure throughout the innings. South Africa eventually closed at 171 for 9, falling short despite a promising start. Beyond the result, the match also highlighted a few key takeaways for both teams. For India, Deepti’s return to form is a significant boost, especially after a lean patch with both bat and ball.
For South Africa, the defeat exposed an over-reliance on captain Laura Wolvaardt, who was dismissed early in this match. Without her anchoring presence, the batting lineup lacked stability, and the inability to form substantial partnerships proved costly.
India produced a timely statement in Johannesburg, leaning on an inspired all-round show from Deepti Sharma to defeat South Africa by 14 runs in the fourth T20I. While the series is already out of reach at 3-1 in favour of the hosts, the victory offered India clarity, confidence, and a reminder of their depth ahead of the finale.
Coming into the match under pressure after three successive defeats, India needed a complete performance. They found it through Deepti, who delivered in both disciplines at a crucial moment. Her unbeaten 36 off 26 balls and a career-best five-wicket haul turned the game on its head and halted South Africa’s momentum in the series.
India’s innings began on an uncertain note after early wickets, but Jemimah Rodrigues once again anchored the middle phase with composure. Her 43 off 29 balls ensured India did not lose direction, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur contributed a steady 22 to stabilize the innings. The pair stitched together a vital partnership that carried India past the 100-run mark and set a platform for acceleration. However, just as India looked set to dominate, a middle-order collapse threatened to undo their progress.
Quick wickets saw them slip to 120 for 5, raising concerns about whether they could post a competitive total. That is when Deepti stepped in, shifting the momentum alongside Richa Ghosh. The duo added an unbeaten 65-run stand for the sixth wicket, with Richa injecting urgency through a brisk 34* off 18 deliveries. Their late surge propelled India to an imposing 185 for 5 in 20 overs, a total that proved just enough.
South Africa’s chase began with intent, led by Sune Luus, who played a fluent knock of 40. Tazmin Brits also chipped in with 30, but the hosts struggled to build sustained partnerships. The absence of a big stand meant the required rate steadily climbed, placing pressure on the middle order.
India capitalized through disciplined bowling, with Deepti leading the charge. She broke the backbone of the chase by dismissing Luus at a crucial juncture, triggering a collapse that South Africa could not recover from. Her variations in flight and pace proved difficult to read, as she picked up wickets at regular intervals and finished with remarkable figures of 5 for 19.
Support came from the rest of the bowling unit as well. Youngsters like Kranti Gaud and Kashvee Gautam chipped in with key breakthroughs, while the fielding unit maintained pressure throughout the innings. South Africa eventually closed at 171 for 9, falling short despite a promising start. Beyond the result, the match also highlighted a few key takeaways for both teams. For India, Deepti’s return to form is a significant boost, especially after a lean patch with both bat and ball.
For South Africa, the defeat exposed an over-reliance on captain Laura Wolvaardt, who was dismissed early in this match. Without her anchoring presence, the batting lineup lacked stability, and the inability to form substantial partnerships proved costly.
