South Africa beat India 4-1, Wolvaardt stars

• By Thetripurapost Desk, Johannesburg
• Apr 28, 2026
• 576

India’s women’s team ended their tour of South Africa on a disappointing note, losing the fifth and final T20I by 23 runs in Benoni as the hosts sealed the series 4–1.

South Africa’s victory on Freedom Day was powered by captain Laura Wolvaardt, who played a match-winning unbeaten knock of 92. Chasing a target of 156, India could only reach 132 for the loss of wickets in their 20 overs.

Wolvaardt also had a record-breaking series, amassing 330 runs in five matches — the highest ever in a bilateral T20I series. She surpassed the previous record of 276 runs held by Amelia Kerr and registered four scores of fifty or more. In the final match, she reached her half-century in just 30 balls before finishing on 92* off 56 deliveries, guiding her team to 155.

At one stage, South Africa were well-placed at 97 for 3 in 14 overs, but India fought back strongly with the ball. Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh picked up two wickets each, triggering a middle-order collapse as the hosts lost six wickets for 49 runs.

India’s chase never gained momentum. With Smriti Mandhana rested, Shafali Verma and Anushka Sharma opened the innings, but early wickets left the team struggling at 38 for 3. Shafali (10), Jemimah Rodrigues (7), and Anushka (15) fell cheaply.

Bharti Fulmali tried to revive the innings with a fighting 40, while Richa Ghosh remained unbeaten on 25, but India ultimately fell short.

The series highlighted key concerns for India ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, particularly their inability to pick up wickets in the powerplay and lapses in fielding, including 12 dropped catches. However, Deepti Sharma’s return to form and Anushka Sharma’s growing confidence offered some positives.

India will next face England in a three-match series, their final assignment before the World Cup.