132/8 (20.0)
CRR : 6.60
155/6 (20.0)
CRR : 7.75
South Africa Women won by 23 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Player
92(56)*
Over 20
India Women 132/8
Shree Charani1(2)
Richa Ghosh25(15)
Ayabonga Khaka1-29(4.0)
SA-W won by 23 runs
8:37 PM IST, 5:07 PM Local Time: That’s it. South Africa Women produce yet another solid performance. They beat India Women by 23 runs to win the fifth T20I and seal the series by a 4-1 margin. India Women fail to carry forward the winning momentum and suffer yet another loss on this tour.
India Women got off to a rough start while chasing 156. They lost Shafali Verma (4) and Jemimah Rodrigues (1) inside the powerplay. Anushka Sharma at the top of the order scored 17 off 21 before falling in the eighth over. Harmanpreet Kaur at four looked scratchy for 28-ball 22 before getting dismissed by Nonkululeko Mlaba.
The South African bowlers bowled beautifully and as a result, the required run rate crept up. Bharti Fulmali played a fighting knock of 40 before she got trapped right in front of the stumps in the 16th over. A lack of substantial contributions from the lower-order batters meant that the Women in Blue finished their innings on 132/8 to lose the contest by 23 runs.
It was a complete bowling performance from the Proteas Women, with five of their six bowlers entering the wickets column. Nonkululeko Mlaba (2/15) and Nadine de Klerk (2/26) picked up two scalps each whereas Eliz-mari Marx (1/12), Chloe Tryon (1/28) and Ayabonga Khaka (1/29) grabbed a wicket apiece.
Earlier, skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus yet again gave their side a solid start after they elected to bat first. India Women failed to strike in the powerplay. Wolvaardt scored at a brisk rate whereas Luus looked a bit scratchy at the crease before falling on a run-a-ball 23 as the 75-run opening stand was broken in the ninth over.
Wolvaardt registered her fourth 50+ score in this series but lacked support as Tazmin Brits (2), Annerie Dercksen (0) and Anneke Bosch (8) fell in a quick succession. Chloe Tryon (12) and Nadine de Klerk (1) failed to make an impact before Sinalo Jafta played a fine cameo at the back end of the innings.
Jafta’s eight-ball 16* along with Wolvaardt’s sensational knock of 56-ball 92* powered South Africa Women to 155/6 at the end of their 20 overs. For India Women, Renuka Singh Thakur (2/21), Shree Charani (2/22) and Deepti Sharma (2/37) picked up two scalps each. The batters then faltered in the chase and they fell short by 23 runs.
Stay tuned for the post-match presentation.
India Women got off to a rough start while chasing 156. They lost Shafali Verma (4) and Jemimah Rodrigues (1) inside the powerplay. Anushka Sharma at the top of the order scored 17 off 21 before falling in the eighth over. Harmanpreet Kaur at four looked scratchy for 28-ball 22 before getting dismissed by Nonkululeko Mlaba.
The South African bowlers bowled beautifully and as a result, the required run rate crept up. Bharti Fulmali played a fighting knock of 40 before she got trapped right in front of the stumps in the 16th over. A lack of substantial contributions from the lower-order batters meant that the Women in Blue finished their innings on 132/8 to lose the contest by 23 runs.
It was a complete bowling performance from the Proteas Women, with five of their six bowlers entering the wickets column. Nonkululeko Mlaba (2/15) and Nadine de Klerk (2/26) picked up two scalps each whereas Eliz-mari Marx (1/12), Chloe Tryon (1/28) and Ayabonga Khaka (1/29) grabbed a wicket apiece.
Earlier, skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus yet again gave their side a solid start after they elected to bat first. India Women failed to strike in the powerplay. Wolvaardt scored at a brisk rate whereas Luus looked a bit scratchy at the crease before falling on a run-a-ball 23 as the 75-run opening stand was broken in the ninth over.
Wolvaardt registered her fourth 50+ score in this series but lacked support as Tazmin Brits (2), Annerie Dercksen (0) and Anneke Bosch (8) fell in a quick succession. Chloe Tryon (12) and Nadine de Klerk (1) failed to make an impact before Sinalo Jafta played a fine cameo at the back end of the innings.
Jafta’s eight-ball 16* along with Wolvaardt’s sensational knock of 56-ball 92* powered South Africa Women to 155/6 at the end of their 20 overs. For India Women, Renuka Singh Thakur (2/21), Shree Charani (2/22) and Deepti Sharma (2/37) picked up two scalps each. The batters then faltered in the chase and they fell short by 23 runs.
Stay tuned for the post-match presentation.
8:47 PM IST, 5:17 PM Local Time: Time for the post-match presentation.
Harmanpreet Kaur (India Women Captain): (On the disappointing result after a strong performance in Australia) "Well, definitely it’s disappointing for us, but more than that, we wanted to give an opportunity to all our players so that, going forward, we can see how things are going our way. I think it’s good that we have given an opportunity to all the players so that, going forward, we can make things easier for ourselves.
(On the team talks after winning at the Wanderers and hoping for another win) I think today we did well in practice. Unfortunately, we didn’t continue that. In batting, the Powerplay was something that really cost us. We didn’t get many runs in the Powerplay, and we lost two wickets. I think in between, Bharti played a very, very good innings, and Richa also did her best. I think there are a lot of positives, but at the same time, a lot of learning for us. Hopefully, when we go back as a group, we really need to sit together and think about how we have to go next.
(On the learnings ahead of the World Cup) I think a lot of learning. Now we know they have a very good team. We know all their plans, how they are batting and bowling. I think now it’s only about staying positive and working hard because we have very little time. It’s only about staying together, supporting each other, and working hard.
(On the support from Indian fans in South Africa) Well, look, I think they’ve been amazing. Wherever we go, they’ve been supporting us. Really, really, really thanks to them. Hopefully, they’ll keep coming and keep supporting us."
(On the team talks after winning at the Wanderers and hoping for another win) I think today we did well in practice. Unfortunately, we didn’t continue that. In batting, the Powerplay was something that really cost us. We didn’t get many runs in the Powerplay, and we lost two wickets. I think in between, Bharti played a very, very good innings, and Richa also did her best. I think there are a lot of positives, but at the same time, a lot of learning for us. Hopefully, when we go back as a group, we really need to sit together and think about how we have to go next.
(On the learnings ahead of the World Cup) I think a lot of learning. Now we know they have a very good team. We know all their plans, how they are batting and bowling. I think now it’s only about staying positive and working hard because we have very little time. It’s only about staying together, supporting each other, and working hard.
(On the support from Indian fans in South Africa) Well, look, I think they’ve been amazing. Wherever we go, they’ve been supporting us. Really, really, really thanks to them. Hopefully, they’ll keep coming and keep supporting us."
Player of the Match & Series: Laura Wolvaardt
Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa Women Captain, POTM, POTS): "[How pleased is she with her batting performance?] Yeah, very happy. Obviously coming off a tough time in New Zealand, happy to turn things around. A bit of tough wicket today. That powerplay was crucial for us. I love how aggressive we have been in the powerplay. Hopefully, it continues.
[On batting first today] We thought it was little bit slower. Generally, it is a flat wicket. But we just wanted to try out something different. It was tough batting second. Pretty pleased with how the girls fought.
[Things to work on moving forward] There are always things to work on. Fielding is one thing. Overall, I'm happy with the improvement we have shown in the last two months.
[How does she sum up the 2025-26 season?] It has been a very good season for us. Just incredible to see how many people turn up for the games. A big thank you to the fans for coming out."
[On batting first today] We thought it was little bit slower. Generally, it is a flat wicket. But we just wanted to try out something different. It was tough batting second. Pretty pleased with how the girls fought.
[Things to work on moving forward] There are always things to work on. Fielding is one thing. Overall, I'm happy with the improvement we have shown in the last two months.
[How does she sum up the 2025-26 season?] It has been a very good season for us. Just incredible to see how many people turn up for the games. A big thank you to the fans for coming out."
South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt collects the winners' trophy and joins her teammates. They pose for the photographs.
That wraps up our coverage of this game. It was real pleasure to bring you all the updates from this series. Keep joining us for more cricketing action all around the globe. This is Akshay Bhide, signing off, on behalf of my co-commentator Dev Rajawat and scorer Yogesh Kumar. Until next time, cheers and good bye.