India Women kept the T20 series alive with a 14-run win over South Africa Women in the fourth match of the India Women tour of South Africa 2026, with Deepti Sharma producing the defining all-round display. India posted 185/5 before Deepti’s five-wicket haul shut down the chase and handed the visitors their first win of the tour.
After three one-sided defeats, India finally found the complete performance they needed. South Africa Women had won the opening three matches by 6 wickets, 8 wickets and 9 wickets respectively, but this result extends the contest to the fifth and final T20 on Monday, April 27.
India Women’s 185/5 from 20 overs was built around a trio of important contributions. Jemimah Rodrigues top-scored with 43, Deepti Sharma added 36, and Richa Ghosh struck 34 in a batting effort that gave the visitors a total worth defending. South Africa’s bowlers had their moments, especially Kayla Reyneke, who returned 2/10 in 2 overs, and Eliz-Mari Marx, who finished with 2/28 from her 4 overs. Tumi Sekhukhune chipped in with 1/28 from 3 overs, while Ayabonga Khaka kept things relatively tight with 0/20 in 3.3 overs.
That total ensured South Africa would need a strong chase, and there were enough contributions to keep the home side in the contest. Sune Luus made 40, Tazmin Brits hit 30, and Eliz-Mari Marx added 21, but India kept finding key wickets at the right moments. Every time South Africa looked set to launch a decisive push, the innings was interrupted.
Deepti was the central figure with the ball, finishing with 5 wickets in the innings and decisively swinging the match India’s way. She was backed by Shafali Verma and Kashvee Gautam, who claimed a wicket each, but this was above all a spell that broke South Africa’s momentum and turned a competitive chase into a losing one. South Africa closed on 171/9 from their 20 overs, 14 runs short.
The match-turning phase came in the second half of the chase. With Luus anchoring and Brits having provided impetus earlier, South Africa were still within striking distance. But Deepti’s interventions ensured the required rate kept climbing, and once India removed set batters, the finishing task became too steep.
For India, this was more than just a consolation win. It prevented a sweep and gives them a chance to end the series on a positive note in the final match. For South Africa, the defeat halts the momentum they had built across the first three matches and sets up a more intriguing finish than had seemed likely a few days earlier.
Key performers:
- Jemimah Rodrigues: 43
- Deepti Sharma: 36 and 5 wickets
- Richa Ghosh: 34
- Sune Luus: 40
- Tazmin Brits: 30
- Eliz-Mari Marx: 21 and 2/28
- Kayla Reyneke: 2/10
NerdSports Stat: After losing the first three matches by margins of 6 wickets, 8 wickets and 9 wickets, India Women’s first win of the series came only when they crossed 180 — and Deepti Sharma still had to take five wickets to defend it.
With one match still to come on Monday, April 27, India Women have at least given themselves momentum and a chance to finish the tour with back-to-back wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
India Women won the match by 14 runs.
Deepti Sharma was named Player of the Match for scoring 36 and taking 5 wickets.
South Africa Women had won the first three matches, and India Women’s victory in the fourth T20 keeps the series alive heading into the final match on Monday, April 27.
Jemimah Rodrigues top-scored with 43 off 0 balls.
The next match is the fifth T20 between South Africa Women and India Women on Monday, April 27.
