Laura Wolvaardt’s record-breaking 92 powers Proteas Women to 4-1 series win

Having already secured the series with three successive chases in Durban and Johannesburg, the Proteas opted for a different test in the decider-batting first. It proved a valuable exercise, with captain Laura Wolvaardt once again the central figure in a performance that underlined both her own brilliance and South Africa's growing confidence ahead of the global showpiece in England.

Wolvaardt produced a masterclass, carrying her bat for an unbeaten 92 off 56 balls in a total of 155/6. The innings was a blend of precision and power-11 fours and two sixes highlighting how her game has evolved beyond its traditionally off-side strengths. She reached her half-century in just 30 balls and accelerated late, plundering 29 runs off the final two overs to give South Africa a defendable score that at one stage looked under threat.

Her contribution capped a record-breaking series in which she amassed 330 runs-the most by any batter in a bilateral women's T20I series - surpassing the previous benchmark set by New Zealand captain Amelie Kerr just weeks earlier. Fittingly, Wolvaardt's consistency stood in stark contrast to the instability around her in the final match, where South Africa lost 6 wickets for 49 runs after a strong 75-run opening stand with Sune Luus (23).

India's bowlers, particularly spinners Shree Charani and Deepti Sharma, exploited that middle-order fragility, sharing four wickets as the visitors dragged things back. Renuka Singh also chipped in with two wickets, ensuring the target remained within reach.

However, any hopes of a successful chase were quickly dented by a sharp South African fielding effort and disciplined bowling display. Chloe Tryon set the tone with three well-judged catches in the deep, reducing India to 38/3 inside eight overs. From there, wickets fell at regular intervals, with only Bharti Fulmali offering sustained resistance through a counterattacking 40.

A brief 38-run stand between Fulmali and Harmanpreet Kaur hinted at a fightback, but Nonkululeko Mlaba's clever variations and Nadine de Klerk's control ensured South Africa stayed ahead. Mlaba removed Harmanpreet with a top-edged slog, while Tryon trapped Fulmali lbw to extinguish India's momentum.

One of the defining moments came behind the stumps, where Sinalo Jafta produced a sharp stumping to dismiss Deepti Sharma - an illustration of her continued growth as South Africa's first-choice wicketkeeper amid competition from emerging options.

India's lower order, led by Richa Ghosh's unbeaten 25, threatened briefly but ultimately ran out of time and partners, finishing on 132/8.

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