5th ODI: India women beat South Africa by 54 runs, clinch T20I series 3-1

India won the last 5th T20I at Capetown by 54 runs and secured the series 3-1. 

For a handy 62, Mithali Raj was rewarded as the Player of the Match. She was also awarded the Player of the series. 

Shikha Pandey, Rumeli Dhar and Rajeshwari Gayakwad were the pick of the bowlers with three wickets each.

Earlier, heavy downpour caused a bit of a delayed start. 

Smriti Mandhana and Mithali Raj gave India a solid start before a sensational catch from Masabata Klaas led to heer early dismissal. 

Mithali Raj completed her third half-century in the series in just 46 balls. She was dismissed for 62 in Shabnim Ismail’s over. 

Ayabonga Khaka dismissed Jemimah Rodrigues for 44 in the next over. the last three overs were productive for the Indian women. 32 came off the last 18 deliveries. 

India ended with 166/4 in 20 overs. 

South Africa needed 167 to win the match. In reply, they lost wickets from the start. 

Pandey and Dhar struck early and at the end of powerplay, they had lost four wickets.

Fall of wickets at regular intervals did not help their cause either as Proteas were bundled out for 112 in 18 overs. 

After a formidable 2-1 victory in the 3-match ODI series, India went on to continue their dominance in the shortest format and went on to win the T20I series.