New Delhi, 26 April (H.S.): Indian women’s all‑rounder Deepti Sharma has expressed her joy over a powerful comeback performance in the fourth T20 against South Africa, where her all‑round brilliance helped India secure their first win of the five‑match series.

Deepti first played a match‑shaping, unbeaten knock of 36 runs to steady India’s innings after a shaky start. Later, with the ball, she delivered her best T20I figures of 5 for 19, claiming her maiden five‑wicket haul in women’s T20 internationals.

This all‑round effort powered India to a 14‑run victory in Johannesburg, denying South Africa a series whitewash and keeping the tie competitive ahead of the final match.

Deepti, 28, had been struggling with form, having gone five T20Is without a wicket and delivering unimpressive returns with the bat. In an emotional reaction after being named Player of the Match, she credited her teammates for keeping faith in her, saying: “This award belongs to my team, who never stopped believing in me.”

Head coach Amol Mazumdar had earlier defended her, calling her “one of Indian women’s cricket’s pillars” and insisting that a return to form was just a matter of time. Her Johannesburg performance has now emphatically vindicated that faith.

India had lost the first three matches, but Deepti stressed that the tour has been a rich learning experience and that the fourth‑T20 win has boosted the team’s confidence. “Whatever we play, we play as a unit—whether batting or bowling— and we must keep this belief going forward,” she said.

India Women, asked to bat, posted 185 for 5 in 20 overs, with significant cameos from Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, and Deepti’s 36*. In reply, South Africa Women reached 171 for 9, falling short by 14 runs despite strong resistance from the top order.

The five‑match series will conclude with the fifth and final T20I on April 27 in Benoni, South Africa, with India now eyeing a series‑leveling result.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar