\u201cFirst of all, you guys have so much belief in me, and I also have belief in myself that I'll have to come back harder, because I know that the team really needs me. And if you don't do well at that crucial time, that thing stays in your mind,\u201d Deepti said in a video released by BCCI on X.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Deepti backed that confidence with a stellar show, scoring an unbeaten 36 to guide India to 185\/5, alongside key contributions from Jemimah Rodrigues (43) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (22). Deepti then turned the game with the ball, returning figures of 5\/19 to restrict South Africa to 171\/9. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt feels really good. Whenever you take a fifer as a bowler, and take your first fifer against your favourite team, it always feels good,\u201d she added. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
India recovered from early setbacks through a 55-run stand between Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur before Deepti stitched an unbeaten 65-run partnership with Richa Ghosh (34*) to provide a strong finish.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chasing 186, South Africa started brightly through Sune Luus (40) and Tazmin Brits (30), but Deepti\u2019s timely breakthroughs triggered a collapse as the hosts fell short. Deepti credited her preparation, especially with captain Harmanpreet in the nets, which helped her improve her mistakes and come back stronger with the bat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India recovered from early setbacks through a 55-run stand between Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur before Deepti stitched an unbeaten 65-run partnership with Richa Ghosh (34*) to provide a strong finish.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The win helped India avoid a whitewash in the five-match series, though South Africa still lead 3-1. The final T20I will be played at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n