New Delhi: India delivered yet another disappointing batting performance as South Africa won the fifth Women’s T20I by 23 runs, and the five-match series by 4-1. Laura Wolvaardt smashed an unbeaten 92 runs, Nonkululeko Mlaba and Nadine de Klerk took two wickets each.
Wolvaardt, who has already smashed two half-centuries and a ton in the series, hit 11 boundaries and two maximum in her 56-ball knock, despite her side losing wickets at regular intervals. She smacked two maxim off the final two deliveries to help South Africa post 155/6 in 20 overs.
In reply, India were restricted to 132/8, with the senior batters once again failing to deliver. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored 22 runs off 28 balls, while Shafali Verma (4), Jemimah Rodrigues (1) and Deepti Sharma (8) fell cheaply without much resistance.
Bharti Fulmali played a counter-attacking 40 off 30 balls (4×4, 2×6), but India’s middle-overs struggle after a poor start proved costly. South African bowlers were disciplined with their lines and lengths, with Nonkululeko Mlaba and Nadine de Klerk delivering impressive spells.
Reality check for ODI World Cup champions
The series result is a massive reality check for the ODI World Cup champions ahead of the T20 World Cup, which will begin on June 12. Chasing the target, India lost early wickets as Shafali Varma was removed by Eliz-mari Marx in the third over, while Jemimah Rodrigues was dismissed by Ayabonga Khaka in the fourth, which ended any hopes of a quick start for the visitors.
Harmanpreet Kaur and Anushka Sharma tried to rebuild, but their 17-run stand was ended by Nadine de Klerk, who removed the latter in the eighth over. Bharti Fulmali batted with intent in the chase, but it wasn’t enough. The Women in Blue need to find answers to the question asked by South Africa before heading to England for the T20 World Cup 2026.
India are placed in Group A along with Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh and the Netherlands, while the hosts England, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and West Indies are placed in Group B.