It was the fifth-highest successful T20I chase for the South Africans, who won the toss and sent India in to bat first. India’s opening batters Shafali Verma (34 off 20) and Smriti Mandhana (13 off 14) started on a positive note. 

They got 46, but it was Jemimah Rodrigues (36 off 29) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (47 off 33 not out) whose third-wicket stand of 71 off 51 balls, which gave India the platform to let loose.

The middle order collapsed spectacularly thanks to another great performance by Ayabonga Khaka, who took three wickets for 16 runs in her four overs and was Player of the Match. India scored just 33 runs in the last five overs and lost four wickets.

Wolvaardt anchored

The target of 158 never really put the South Africans under pressure.  Captain Laura Wolvaardt hit her first 50 in eight T20I innings, and her 51 off 39 balls anchored the Protea women.  

Sune Luus (13 off 7) and Tazmin Brits (10 off 13) never got going, but a third-wicket partnership of 52 between Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen (44 from 34 balls not out) saw the team home.  The hosts reached the target with five balls to spare.

South Africa won by six wickets with five balls to spare. Photo: X/Proteas Women

After the match, Wolvaardt said she was happy with her team’s start. “We were good in all departments. Dercksen batted excellently. 

“We would have liked to finish it earlier, but we broke the back of the chase earlier, which was nice. This is how we wanted to start the series.” 

Shreyanka Patil was India’s most successful bowler, taking two wickets for 26 runs in her four overs.  The teams will remain in Durban for the second T20I that will take place on Sunday at 14:00.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg