Pacer Pooja Vastrakar ran riot with a career-best bowling show of 4 for 13 before Smriti Mandhana shone with the bat, scoring an unbeaten half century, as India thrashed South Africa by 10 wickets in the third and final women's T20 International to level the series 1-1, in Chennai, on Tuesday.
'It was more about taking it step-by-step, not just throwing out what I think straight away to the team. We are busy rebuilding as a limited overs team, especially ODIs. Twenty20 I think we know what is going on.'
South Africa dealt a body blow to next month's ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan on Friday by withdrawing from the tournament for safety and security reasons. Despite assurances from an International Cricket Council (ICC) task force that acceptable security measures would be in place, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said it is not prepared to send a team to Pakistan.
Faf du Plessis was appointed South Africa's One Day International captain on Monday in place of AB de Villiers, giving him the top job in all three formats of the game.
Taking to his social media account, de Villiers expressed his excitement, calling it a 'moment of truth' for the team.
Temba Bavuma has recovered from injury and will take charge
England cricket chief David Collier has been forced to apologise to South Africa after accusing their players of provoking Kevin Pietersen in the text message row that led to the batsman being dropped.
The India 'A' bowlers had a tough time on the field as Pieter Malan and Tony de Zorzi scored centuries to take South Africa 'A' to 343 for three at stumps on day one of the opening unofficial Test.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) have withdrawn disciplinary charges against national team head coach Mark Boucher after two key witnesses declined to testify in upcoming hearings.
Jasprit Bumrah will definitely be a part of India's plans for the T20 World Cup but there is not clarity on the T20 future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
South Africa will fancy their chances of victory if they can set India a target of 100 or more.
It's encouraging when you do well out of your comfort zone: Suryakumar on SA series
Elgar appeared to give his backing to Boucher after former Test spinner Paul Adams said he had been called a "brown shit" in a South Africa team song during his time in the side, including by former wicket-keeper Boucher, who has since apologised.
South Africa has been asked to nominate the acting president of the International Cricket Council following the death of Percy Sonn last month.
South Africa's Kagiso Rabada discusses his journey through a drugs ban and winning the World Test Championship, highlighting his focus on personal well-being and prioritising international cricket.
Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the upcoming two-Test series in South Africa on fitness grounds
Amid West Asia crisis, England, South Africa and West Indies to depart over the weekend.
Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues admitted the team was short of runs in the opening women's T20I against South Africa, but emphasised the series offers a valuable opportunity for the batting unit, especially the allrounders, to prepare for the upcoming World Cup.
Afghanistan relying on seasoned spin trio to script first ever win over India
The Indian team landed in South Africa for the Test series, starting on December 26.
The statement further said that a decision on wicketkeeper batter Quinton de Kock's availability for the remaining two matches will be made in due course by CSA's medical team.
South Africa's shock exit at last year's Twenty20 World Cup following a loss to the Netherlands with much the same group of players still weighs heavy on captain Temba Bavuma.
India head into the Women's T20 World Cup with questions over their bowling attack, top-order form and squad balance. Harmanpreet Kaur's side will need key players to deliver if they are to challenge for another ICC title.
ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Australia coach Shelley Nitschke hints at Phoebe Litchfield comeback for India clash
Who do you think should be part of India's playing for their T20 World Cup match against South Africa on Sunday?
Gupta highlighted that a packed Lord's during the previous edition's final between Australia and South Africa, despite the absence of India and hosts England, was a landmark moment for the global governing body.
Aiden Markram led South Africa to victory at the 2014 Cricket Under-19 World Cup, and had been tipped by current CSA director of cricket Graeme Smith as a future captain for the senior side.
Dean Elgar's decision backfired as South Africa were bundled out for 55 in their first innings.
The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 is set to bring together the world's top teams for a month of fast-paced, high-stakes cricket, as they compete for the biggest prize in the shortest format of the game.
India's bowling coach hails team's "hungry mindset" after strong T20 World Cup start
Sunday's One Day International between South Africa and England in Paarl has been abandoned after two hotel workers in the teams' bio-secure environment tested positive for the coronavirus, match host broadcaster SuperSport reported.
South Africa's Aaron Phangiso has been reported for a suspected illegal bowling action just weeks before the left-arm spinner will represent the national side at the World Twenty20 in India. The 32-year-old was reported after helping his domestic Lions side into the final of South Africa's provincial 50-over competition on Wednesday when he took 2-38 in eight overs. "Phangiso's action will now be scrutinised further in accordance with the CSA regulations," governing body Cricket South Africa said in a statement on Thursday. "He is required to undergo independent analysis by a member of the ICC panel of human movement specialists and is permitted to continue bowling until the results of the testing are known."
Nitin Menon remains the only Indian in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires after the governing body named an unchanged team of match officials for the 2026-27 international season following its annual review.
Gary Kirsten, the former India World Cup-winning coach, has been appointed as the head coach of the Sri Lanka cricket team on a two-year contract, aiming to strengthen the national side for major global events, including the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Deepti Sharma produced a career-best 5/10 as India defeated Pakistan by 64 runs in their Women's T20 World Cup opener at Edgbaston. Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur also starred in India's dominant victory.
Yashasvi Jaiswal became the fastest Indian to score two ODI centuries while debutant pacer Gurnoor Brar set a new Indian bowling record as India completed a dominant 3-0 ODI series sweep over Afghanistan in Chennai.
All-rounder Marco Jansen shone with bat and ball as South Africa won the fifth and final One-Day International against Australia by 122 runs.
Chris Gayle scored an unbeaten 133 as the West Indies beat South Africa by six wickets in the second semi-final of the Champions Trophy.
'As long as the guys understand the way that we want to try play as a team and can keep that close to them when playing in different leagues and tournaments. Then hopefully by the time we meet up for the World Cup, the guys are used to that brand and how we want to operate as a team.'
They have looked more comfortable setting targets than chasing one though, and they will expect more penetration from their bowlers against a resurgent Australia.
