India claimed an impressive 27-run victory over South Africa in the first women’s T20I at Buffalo Park in East London on Thursday.
Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur produced an important half-century stand for the sixth wicket to help India post 147-6, before Sharma shone with ball-in-hand, taking 3-30 to restrict the Proteas Women to 120-9.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, South Africa made a bright start with the ball as Ayabonga Khaka removed India’s stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana (seven).
India were 29-1 at the end of the powerplay and, with the scoreboard pressure rising, a direct hit from the deep by Khaka claimed the wicket of Harleen Deol (eight). The very next ball saw the departure of Jemimah Rodrigues for a duck off the bowling of Nonkululeko Mlaba (2-15).
While wickets were falling at the other end, opener Yastika Bhatia fought her way to a 34-ball 35 before she became Delmi Tucker’s maiden T20I wicket.
That was soon followed by the scalp of Devika Vaidya (nine) – removed by Mlaba – to leave India reeling on 69-5 in the 12th over.
India then clawed their way back into the contest with the help of a crucial 76-run, sixth-wicket stand between Sharma (33) and Kaur (41*). The visitors ended on 147-6, with Sharma the last wicket to fall.
South Africa struggled to find a consistent rhythm with the bat as a regular fall of wickets kept the required run rate rising despite valiant efforts from Kapp (22), Suné Luus (29) and Chloé Tryon (26).
Lower-order contributions from Nadine de Klerk (16) and Sinalo Jafta (11) were not enough as India wrapped up proceedings with three quick wickets in the final two overs to confirm the 27-run triumph.
South Africa will take on the West Indies on Saturday at the same venue.
