Deepti Sharma is back in form, and so are India Women, as they finally opened their account in the ongoing five-match T20I series against South Africa. The visitors registered a 14-run win over the home side in Johannesburg, courtesy of an all-round performance from the experienced all-rounder.
Just like the previous three games, South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt once again won the toss and opted to bowl first. However, India made several changes, resting vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, Arundhati Reddy, and Shreyanka Patil, while bringing in Anushka Sharma, Kranti Gaud, and N. Shree Charani into the playing XI.
In the absence of Mandhana, Anushka was given the opportunity to open alongside Shafali Verma. The pair added a decent 25-run stand before Shafali was dismissed for nine. Anushka looked positive in the powerplay, scoring 27 off 18. At a crucial stage, Jemimah Rodrigues and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur stitched together a vital 55-run partnership. Jemimah, after an initial struggle, found her rhythm and scored 43 off 29, although she would have liked to convert it into a bigger knock. Bharti Fulmali failed to capitalise on her chance, and when Harmanpreet was dismissed, India were 120/5 in 13.4 overs.
Then, all eyes were on Deepti Sharma, who had been struggling for form in recent games. She, along with Richa Ghosh, ensured a strong finish as the duo added an unbeaten 65-run partnership. India eventually posted 185/5, with Deepti remaining not out on 36 off 26 and Richa scoring an unbeaten 34 off just 18 balls at a strike rate of 188.88.
For South Africa, Eliz-Mari Marx impressed on her comeback with two wickets, while Kayla Reyneke also picked up two. Tumi Sekhukhune chipped in with one but was expensive, conceding runs at an economy rate of 11.25.
In reply, India finally managed what they had failed to do in the previous two games, pick up an early wicket. Kranti Gaud struck early, bowling an inswinger to dismiss the in-form Wolvaardt. Sune Luus (40 off 24) and Tazmin Brits (30 off 23) tried to steady the chase, but India’s spinners took control. Charani dismissed Brits, while Deepti got her first wicket of the series by removing Luus. Reyneke started well but failed to accelerate and became Deepti’s third victim.
Deepti then ran through the lower order, picking up two more wickets to complete her maiden five-wicket haul in T20Is. Shafali Verma and Kashvee Gautam also chipped in with a wicket each. For South Africa, Marx fought till the end with an unbeaten 21, but the target proved too much as they finished on 171/9.
Deepti was deservingly named Player of the Match. Now, all eyes will be on April 27 when India take on South Africa in the fifth and final T20I at Benoni. However, both teams looked a bit sloppy in the field, with several dropped catches on either side highlighting an area of concern.
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