Summary of this article
South Africa defeated India by 23 runs in 5th women's T20I
Laura Wolvaardt scored an unbeaten 92 off 56 balls
Proteas won the five-match series 4-1
The 5th T20I at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, concluded with South Africa Women defeating India Women by 23 runs, allowing the hosts to clinch the five-match series with a dominant 4-1 scoreline.
Opting to bat first, South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt continued her sensational form. She anchored the innings from start to finish, smashing an unbeaten 92 off 56 balls. Alongside Sune Luus (23), Wolvaardt provided a steady 75-run opening stand that laid the foundation for a competitive total.
Despite a mid-innings fightback from the Indian bowlers, the Proteas reached 155/6. For India, Renuka Singh (2/21) and Shree Charani (2/22) were the standout performers, consistently hitting their lengths to keep the scoring in check during the death overs.
India’s pursuit of 156 never gained the necessary momentum. With Smriti Mandhana rested for the tie, the pressure fell on the top order, but Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues departed early, leaving the team reeling. Bharti Fulmali provided a glimmer of hope with a gritty 40 off 30 balls, but she lacked significant support from the other end as wickets fell at regular intervals.
South Africa's bowling attack, led by Nonkululeko Mlaba (2/15), was clinical in its execution. The spinners squeezed the run rate in the middle overs, forcing the Indian batters into risky shots. India eventually finished on 132/8, falling 23 runs short of the target.
While India showed flashes of brilliance—notably their victory in the 4th T20I driven by Deepti Sharma’s five-wicket haul—they were largely outplayed throughout the tour. Wolvaardt was undoubtedly the star of the series, finishing as the leading run-scorer and guiding her side to a comprehensive series victory on home soil.
India Vs South Africa, 5th Women's T20I: Playing XIs
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Shafali Verma, Anushka Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Bharti Fulmali, Renuka Singh Thakur, Kranti Gaud and Shree Charani.
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Sune Luus, Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Eliz-mari Marx, Ayabonga Khaka and Nonkululeko Mlaba.
After three consecutive defeats, the Women In Blue pulled one back in their last match at Johannesburg to trail 1-3. Proteas had already sealed the series in their favour after the third win to take an unassailable advantage.
India Vs South Africa, 5th Women's T20I: Squads
India: Shafali Verma, Anushka Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kashvee Gautam, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur, Smriti Mandhana, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Uma Chetry
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Sune Luus, Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Kayla Reyneke, Chloe Tryon, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Eliz-mari Marx, Ayabonga Khaka, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Anneke Bosch, Nadine de Klerk, Ayanda Hlubi, Tebogo Macheke
Where is the India vs South Africa, 5th women's T20I being played?
The India vs South Africa, 5th women's T20I is being played at Willowmoore Park, Benoni.
Where is the India vs South Africa, 5th women's T20I being live streamed?
The India vs South Africa, 5th women's T20I is being live streamed on the JioHotstar app and website in India.
Where is the India vs South Africa, 5th women's T20I being telecast?
The India vs South Africa, 5th women's T20I is being telecast on the Star Sports Network TV channels in India.
