Exclusive: Nonkululeko Mlaba Determined to Improve Against India in Crucial Tri-Nations Series

South Africa women spinner, Nonkululeko Mlaba, plans to improve her returns against India Women when they play the subcontinent team in the upcoming Tri-Nations series in Sri Lanka next month. 

Preparation for ICC events

Over the last few years, South Africa women have proven themselves as genuine contenders in ICC events with the side having reached the finals of the last two ICC events, the 2023 and 2024 T20 World Cups in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates respectively.

This year, the Laura Wolvaardt-led team will have yet another shot at the illusive ICC trophy when they travel to India for the ICC Women's ODI World Cup in October.

What has worked wonders for South Africa in the last two years has been their preparation going into the ICC events. They have toured the right countries with similar conditions to where the tournaments take place and have played against strong teams.

In their build-up to the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, the side toured Pakistan and India while here at home they hosted Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, all teams that tend to dominate in spin-friendly conditions..

Those tours and series' allowed Proteas Women time to prepare effective game plans for spin-friendly conditions. As a result, the side was able to qualify for the final in the UAE, beating Australia Women in the semi-final.

Next month the side will return to action having last played together as a group in December when they hosted England Women for a multi-format tour.

Wolvaardt will lead her team in Sri Lanka where they will play in a tri-nation One Day International series against hosts Sri Lanka Women and India Women between 27 April and 08 May.

The series will be staged at the Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo where the conditions are known to be conducive to spin-bowlers.

This means that South Africa's front-line spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba will have a massive role to play in the side.

Despite all the pressure that comes with leading the spin attack against some of the world's best players of spin - the Sri Lankan and Indian Women batters - the 24-year-old Mlaba plans to stick to the basics of spin-bowling and not complicate her bowling. 

The slow left-arm orthodox will be touring Sri Lanka for the first time, a feat that can be daunting for any young cricketer.

"For me, I just keep it simple. I don't want to put pressure on myself. I don't want to think - 'it's Sri Lanka I have to change how I normally do things' - I'm just going to stick to what I normally do best," Mlaba told SportsBoom.co.za. 

"When I get to Sri Lanka, maybe after a few practice sessions, then I'll try to adjust according to the conditions. I'm trying not to think too much about it and I don't want to stress about it."

Improving returns against India Women

Mlaba has been one of the most dominant spinners in women's cricket in the last few years with the 24-year-old once holding the number one T20I bowler in the world not so long ago.

However, her returns against India Women and other teams that have prominent players of spin are not the best. The last time Mlaba played against India in an ODI series, she averaged 36 with the ball and only took four wickets in three games as South Africa lost all three games.

The spinner told SportsBoom that she plans to do a lot better next month.

"The last time we played against them we didn't do well as a team. Everyone wants to do well when we play against India this time around. It's not an individual thing. It's everyone in the team," said Mlaba.

"On my side, I'll try to play a role in the team. I know I didn't perform the last time I played against them but this time around I'm looking to try and take more wickets. If not, I want to consistently put pressure on them."

Proteas Women contracted players (2025/26)

On Monday, Cricket South Africa announced new Proteas Women's contracts for the 2025/26 season and Mlaba was included in the 15-player list.

Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba , Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloé Tryon and Laura Wolvaardt.

Tri-Nations Fixtures 

Sunday, 27 April - 1st ODI - Sri Lanka vs India
Tuesday, 29 April - 2nd ODI: India vs South Africa
Thursday, 01 May - 3rd ODI: Sri Lanka vs South Africa
Sunday, 04 May - 4th ODI: Sri Lanka vs India
Tuesday, 06 May - 5th ODI: South Africa vs India
Thursday, 08 May - 6th ODI: Sri Lanka vs South