India lose opener against South Africa

The Indian women’s cricket team lost to South Africa by six wickets in the first game of the five-match SA-W vs IND-W T20 2026 series, which began at Kingsmead, Durban, on Friday.

Harmanpreet Kaur top-scored for India with an unbeaten 47 off 33 balls, helping the visitors post 157/7 after being sent in to bat first.

However, a 39-ball 51 from Laura Wolvaardt and an unbeaten 44 off 34 by Annerie Dercksen helped the Proteas secure a comfortable victory. Ayabonga Khaka was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa, finishing with figures of 3/16.

Chasing 158, South Africa made a positive start despite losing Sune Luus in the second over.

Skipper Laura Wolvaardt took charge early on, proving difficult to contain as she cleared the boundary regularly during the powerplay. Her fluent strokeplay powered the hosts to 53/1 at the end of six overs.

Tazmin Brits, who had provided support to Laura Wolvaardt, fell soon after the powerplay, bringing in Annerie Dercksen, who effortlessly combined with her skipper for a crucial 52-run stand to keep the chase on course.

Laura Wolvaardt brought up her fifty in the 12th over before eventually perishing a couple of overs later. South Africa, meanwhile, had surged past the 100-run mark.

The Indian bowlers tightened their grip on proceedings after Wolvaardt’s departure, taking the match to the final over. However, Chloe Tryon’s maximum off the first ball of the final over put the nerves to rest as South Africa won the series opener.

Earlier, India were put into bat first and made a measured start with Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma stitching together a 46-run opening stand.

Shafali Verma set the tone early with a 20-ball 34 but fell at the end of the fifth over. Mandhana followed her back to the dugout in the next, leaving India at 48/2 at the end of the powerplay.

Jemimah Rodrigues and Indian T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur then steadied the innings with a crucial stand in the middle overs.

Harmanpreet Kaur anchored the effort, adding 71 runs with Jemimah Rodrigues, who scored a fluent 36 off 29 before departing in the 15th over.

Her dismissal triggered a collapse as Richa Ghosh and the rest of the batting line-up struggled to find any momentum.

Kashvee Gautam launched one over the ropes, while Harmanpreet Kaur remained composed at the crease, striking a couple of crisp boundaries to provide a late flourish. Her unbeaten knock steered India past the 150 mark, setting South Africa a competitive target.

India will play South Africa at the same venue in the second match of the series on Sunday.

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