India’s spin-bowling all-rounder Deepti Sharma turned out to be the inspiration needed to end the losing streak on South Africa tour. In the fourth T20I of the five-T20I series, Deepti’s record-breaking five-wicket haul helped India beat South Africa by 14 runs at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.
Deepti became the first Indian to take a fifer in T20Is against South Africa. The previous best bowling figures for India in the format against South Africa belonged to Pooja Vastrakar. The pacer claimed four wickets for 13 runs against South Africa in Chennai. Deepti also became the fourth bowler to bag a fifer against South Africa in T20Is. Her bowling figures are second best, only second to former West Indies pacer Anisa Mohammed who took five wickets for 10 runs in 2009.
Rodrigues overcomes dot balls, Deepti-Richa stretch total
Earlier, Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to bowl again, considering they pulled off their highest run chase in the previous encounter. Shafali Verma was dismissed cheaply by Elix-mari Marx. On the last ball of the powerplay overs, Anushka Sharma Sharma was dismissed by Tumi Sekhukhune for an 18-ball 27. In the absence of a rested Smriti Mandhana, India had 47/2 after powerplay overs. Jemimah Rodrigues attacked after playing too many dot balls. Her catch was dropped by Chloe Tryon in the 10th over.
In the 11th over, she went berserk, hitting Nonkululeko Mlaba for two sixes and as many fours. 24 runs came off that over. Kayla Reyneke was introduced into the attack and she knocked over Rodrigues. She scored 43 runs from 29 deliveries. Bharti Fulmali couldn't make an impact and got out lbw for just two runs. Harmanpreet Kaur couldn't accelerate either. She departed for a 16-ball 22. Deepti and Richa Ghosh tried to push the scoring rate in slog overs. 18 runs came off the final over. The 65-run partnership for the sixth wicket helped India post 185/5. Deepti scored 36 runs from 36 balls, featuring five fours. Ghosh's 18-ball 34 featured five fours and a six.
Early strikes and Deepti’s domination derail South Africa’s run chase
In the first over of run chase, Renuka Singh Thakur conceded three boundaries. Skipper Wolvaardt was looking menacing once again but Kranti Gaud knocked her over for a 14-ball 18 in the fourth over. Sune Luus attacked the pacers during fielding restrictions. South Africa were 59/1 after powerplay overs. Deepti was introduced into the attack in the ninth over and she knocked over Luus for a 24-ball 40. Renuka got one more crack but was hit for a six and two fours in her third over. From the other end, Deepti continued to strike. Annerie Dercksen got bowled for a single-digit score.
Reyneke tried to put Shree Charani under pressure, taking the aerial route. South Africa crossed the 100-run mark in the 12th over. On the last ball of her spell, Charani delivered with the wicket of Tazmin Brits who scored 30 runs from 23 balls. Then, Deepti got Reyneke caught at deep backward square leg for a 19-ball 31. Two new batters in slog overs of run chase was always going to be tough. Chloe got bowled by Kashvee Gautam. The skipper gave the ball to Shafali and she got rid of wicketkeeper-batter Sinalo Jafta. In the penultimate over, Deepti struck twice to dismiss Ayabonga Khaka and Sekhukhune. In the last over, South Africa needed 35 runs. Shafali was hit for two sixes and a four but South Africa fell short of the target by 14 runs. They managed to post 171/9 on the board.
Deepti was named ‘Player of the match’ for her cameo and record-breaking five-wicket haul.
“I keep believing in myself that I'll come back hard. All credit to my teammates who believe in me. Line and length are really crucial, whether in wet conditions or normal conditions. Richa batted really well,” Deepti said in the post-match presentation.
South Africa had already taken an unassailable lead in the five-T20I series. The last T20I of the series will be played on April 27 at Benoni, Willowmoore Park.