4th WT20I: Deepti Sharma powers India to 14-run win, denies South Africa clean sweep
Deepti Sharma starred with 5/19 and an unbeaten 36 as India Women beat South Africa by 14 runs in the fourth T20I in Johannesburg.
Deepti Sharma starred with 5/19 and an unbeaten 36 as India Women beat South Africa by 14 runs in the fourth T20I in Johannesburg.
The session majorly belonged to Annabel, who reached her fourth Test century off 133 deliveries and became the first Australian woman to score four hundreds in the format and the first to record three tons in succession.
“I can say that she is fit and fine,” Deepti said during the pre-match press conference, signaling that the Indian captain is ready to return to the field.
The men’s team enters the tournament as holders, having lifted the T20 World Cup in 2024 after a thrilling final victory over South Africa, and the backing from the women’s team has added an emotional boost ahead of the campaign.
Annabel Sutherland reclaimed the No. 1 position in the T20I bowling rankings following India’s 15-run victory over Sri Lanka in the fifth and final T20I.
During the fifth and final T20I at the Greenfield International Stadium, Deepti surpassed Australia’s Megan Schutt by claiming her 152nd wicket, trapping Nilakshika Silva lbw to etch her name into the record books.
India completed a dominant 5-0 series whitewash, successfully defending 175 to win the final match by 15 runs. Deepti finished with figures of 1 for 28 from four overs.
Shafali has climbed four places to sixth in the updated standings following a prolific run in the ongoing home T20I series against Sri Lanka.
India will play Sri Lanka in the third T20I in Thiruvananthapuram with the series already sealed 2-0. Smriti Mandhana is on the brink of a historic 10,000 international runs milestone, while Deepti Sharma is fit and available for selection.
Deepti rose to the No. 1 spot in the T20I bowling rankings for the first time in her career after playing a key role in India’s opening T20I against Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam.
