India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur became the first cricketer to play 200 T20Is as she is leading the Women in Blue in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa on June 21. New Zealand’s legendary cricketer Suzie Bates is second with 184 matches. England’s Danni Wyatt-Hodge third with 183 and Australia’s Ellyse Perry with 177 are in the third and fourth spots, respectively.
India’s vice-captain, Smriti Mandhana, has been a part of 169 T20Is. When it comes to men’s format, Ireland’s Paul Sterling heads the list with 163 appearances in T20Is, followed by former India player Rohit Sharma (159).
Meanwhile, Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and decided to bat first against the Proteas. However, Indian batters were not dominating and managed just 158 for 7 in the allotted 20 overs.
Smriti and Shafali, the two openers, were looking threatening, but a reckless shot by the former ended a 30-run stand in 3 overs. She scored 17 runs off 12 balls, laced with 3 boundaries.
Shafali hit 4 boundaries and 1 six in her 15-ball 31 innings. Yastika Bhatia (15 off 13) and Jemimah Rodrigues (12 off 14) were in the middle for a good amount of time, but their returns were not satisfactory.
Harmanpreet Kaur was looking good in her milestone game before she was undone on an individual score of 24 in 22 balls.
All-rounder Deepti Sharma and the wicket-keeper batter Richa Ghosh hit a few shots to add respectability to the total. Deepti faced 21 balls for her 29 runs, including three fours.
Ghosh struck two boundaries in her contribution of 15 runs in 14 balls.
For South Africa, Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail, the two most experienced players, picked up two wickets each.
Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka and Nadine de Klerk claimed one scalp each.
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