India batters during the 5th T20I against South Africa. (Pic credit: BCCI Women)

South Africa capped off a dominant Women’s T20I series with a convincing 23-run win over India, riding on a sublime unbeaten 92 from skipper Laura Wolvaardt. Chasing a modest 156, India suffered yet another batting collapse to finish on 132 for eight, handing the hosts a 4-1 series triumph.Wolvaardt once again proved to be the difference-maker, carrying her bat through the innings with a composed yet authoritative knock off 56 balls, laced with 11 fours and two sixes. Having already registered two fifties and a century in the series, she underlined her consistency with another match-winning effort. Her late flourish — smashing two sixes off the final two balls — lifted South Africa beyond the 150-mark after a middle-overs slowdown.As it happened: India vs South Africa, 5th T20IIndia’s batting woes continueIn response, India’s chase never truly gained momentum. Early setbacks saw them slump to 21 for two, with Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues falling cheaply. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur struggled to accelerate, managing 22 off 28 balls, while Deepti Sharma also failed to make an impact.It was left to Bharti Fulmali to provide some resistance with a spirited 40 off 30 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes. However, the lack of partnerships and slow middle overs proved costly. With 79 runs needed off the final seven overs, the equation was always steep, and Fulmali’s dismissal in the 16th over effectively ended India’s hopes.Disciplined bowling seals the dealSouth Africa’s bowlers complemented their skipper’s effort with a disciplined performance. Nonkululeko Mlaba was particularly impressive, returning figures of 2 for 15, including a maiden, and accounting for Harmanpreet. Nadine de Klerk also chipped in with two crucial wickets as India’s batting line-up faltered under pressure.Earlier, India’s bowlers had managed to pull things back through Shree Charani (2/22), Deepti (2/37), and Renuka Singh (2/21), briefly stalling South Africa after a strong start. But Wolvaardt’s composure and finishing touch ensured the hosts posted a competitive total.The defeat serves as a timely reality check for India ahead of the T20 World Cup, with inconsistency and frequent changes in the XI continuing to haunt their campaign.