NewKerala.com

Deepti Sharma's Career-Best 5/19 Leads India to 14-Run Win Over South Africa

Deepti Sharma delivered a match-winning all-round performance, taking a career-best 5/19 to guide India to a 14-run victory over South Africa in the fourth Women's T20I. She credited her self-belief and teammates' support for her success in pressure situations, saying she always backs herself to make a strong comeback. India posted 185/5 in 20 overs, with Jemimah Rodrigues scoring 43 and Deepti adding an unbeaten 36, before her five-wicket haul dismantled South Africa's chase. Despite the win, South Africa still leads the five-match series 3-1 with one game remaining.

Key Points: Deepti Sharma 5/19: India Beat South Africa in 4th T20I

  • Deepti Sharma takes career-best 5/19 in fourth T20I
  • India post 185/5, led by Jemimah Rodrigues' 43
  • Deepti scores unbeaten 36 off 26 balls
  • India secure consolation win, South Africa lead series 3-1
3 min read

"I keep believing in myself": Deepti Sharma after India's 14-run victory over South Africa in 4th T20I

Deepti Sharma's maiden T20I five-wicket haul and all-round show power India to a 14-run victory over South Africa in the 4th Women's T20I in Johannesburg.

"I keep believing in myself that I'll come back hard. All credit to my teammates who believe in me. - Deepti Sharma"

Johannesburg, April 26

India all-rounder Deepti Sharma credited her self-belief and teammates' support after delivering a match-winning bowling performance in India's 14-run victory over South Africa in the fourth Women's T20I.

Deepti, who was adjudged Player of the Match, said she thrives in pressure situations and always backs herself to make a strong comeback when needed. She returned with career-best figures of 5/19, registering her maiden T20I five-wicket haul and guiding India to their first win of the ongoing five-match series

"I'm very pleased, because I'm good in crunch situations. I keep believing in myself that I'll come back hard. All credit to my teammates who believe in me," Deepti said after the win, as quoted by the ICC.

Deepti Sharma had been enduring a lean run of form, going wicketless in her last five T20Is while also struggling to make an impact with the bat. India head coach Amol Muzumdar, however, continued to back his star player to bounce back, and Deepti repaid that faith in stunning fashion with a match-winning performance in Johannesburg.

"She's a class player, there's no doubt about it. We have seen it in the World Cup, in bigger tournaments, in pressure situations. She has stood up for India and had some stellar performances, especially in the last (Women's Cricket) World Cup," said Mazumdar after the third T20I against South Africa, backing Deepti Sharma to bounce back.

"I think it's just a matter of time when she hits a form, and I and the entire country would be hoping it starts from tomorrow. She's been a marquee player for a long time, and she has shouldered that responsibility in the middle order, I mean, she's one of the pillars of Indian women's cricket at the moment," Mazumdar added.

A brilliant all-round performance from Deepti Sharma powered India to a 14-run victory over South Africa in the fourth Women's T20I at Johannesburg on Saturday. Despite already losing the series 1-3, India produced a strong display to secure a consolation win with one match remaining.

Batting first, India posted 185/5 in 20 overs, thanks to a fluent 43 from Jemimah Rodrigues and a crucial unbeaten 36 off 26 balls from Deepti Sharma. Richa Ghosh also chipped in with a quickfire 34 not out to boost the total in the final overs.

In reply, South Africa started steadily but lost momentum after regular breakthroughs. Deepti Sharma starred with the ball as well, picking up a five-wicket haul (5/19), dismantling the Proteas' middle order. Despite resistance from Sune Luus and Eliz-Mari Marx, South Africa was restricted to 171/9 in 20 overs.

With this win, India ended South Africa's dominance in the fourth T20I, though the visitors continue to lead the series 3-1 with one match remaining.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Honestly, I'm so proud of how she stood up in the crunch moments. But we need to address that batting order a bit - we've been losing wickets in clusters too often. Deepti's knock of 36* was valuable, but imagine if she'd come earlier! Still, a well-deserved win.
V
Vikram M
Great to see Deepti back in form! Her economy rate and ability to pick wickets in middle overs is crucial for India. Also, Jemimah's 43 was a treat to watch - she's looking solid after her comeback. Let's hope we can level the series 3-3 even though we've already lost it! 😄
S
Sarah B
Brilliant performance! Deepti Sharma is indeed one of the pillars of Indian women's cricket. Her all-round abilities make her invaluable in the T20 format. That 5/19 was pure class - mixing pace, spin, and using the conditions perfectly. Muzumdar's faith in her paid off beautifully.
K
Kavya N
Finally a win! Was getting a bit worried seeing the series slip away, but this was a complete team effort. Deepti's self-belief is infectious - she never gave up despite the lean patch. Richa's power-hitting at the end was crucial too. One more match to go - let's end on a high! 🙏
J
James A
That's the Deepti Sharma we know! She's always been clutch in big moments. The way she bounced back after a tough run shows her mental strength. Also great to see the support staff backing players through bad form - that's how you build a strong team culture.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50