Marizanne Kapp struck a magnificent unbeaten 81 as South Africa chased down 159 to hand India their first defeat of the Women’s T20 World Cup…reports Africa Daily News Desk
Marizanne Kapp produced a stunning all round performance as South Africa handed India their first defeat of the Women’s T20 World Cup, securing a six wicket victory in a thrilling Group A clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The experienced all rounder followed up an impressive spell with the ball by smashing an unbeaten 81 off just 45 deliveries, guiding South Africa to 161/4 in 19.1 overs in pursuit of India’s 158/7.
Kapp’s match winning innings, widely regarded as one of the finest in Women’s T20 World Cup history, came at a crucial moment for South Africa. Chasing a challenging target, they were struggling at 25/2 after a disciplined start by India’s bowlers before Kapp took control of the contest.
The 35 year old struck seven fours and four sixes and shared a decisive 97 run partnership with Tazmin Brits, who contributed 40. Their stand transformed the chase after India had briefly seized the initiative through left arm spinner N Sree Charani.
Charani delivered a superb spell, claiming 3/24 and reducing South Africa to 25/2 with a double wicket maiden. She first removed captain Laura Wolvaardt before clean bowling Annerie Dercksen for a duck to leave the chasing side under pressure.
However, Kapp and Brits responded with composure and aggression. After a cautious start, Kapp found her rhythm and began dominating the Indian attack, particularly through the middle overs. She punished anything short or overpitched and accelerated brilliantly as South Africa took control.
Brits provided excellent support before falling for 40, but Kapp continued to anchor the chase. Despite being dropped twice by substitute fielder Radha Yadav, she made India pay heavily for the missed opportunities.
The veteran reached her half century in 34 balls and continued to attack until the end. Chloe Tryon then helped finish the chase, edging the winning runs to seal a memorable South African victory.
Earlier, South Africa’s disciplined bowling effort restricted India to 158/7 despite several batters making useful contributions.
India started brightly through Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, who attacked the new ball and provided early momentum. However, Kapp struck an important blow when she dismissed Mandhana after the opener attempted an ambitious scoop shot.
Shafali continued her aggressive approach and scored 31 before falling to a sharp short ball from Shabnim Ismail. India then lost momentum as South Africa’s bowlers applied sustained pressure through the middle overs.
Yastika Bhatia made 15 before being trapped leg before wicket by Ayabonga Khaka, while Jemimah Rodrigues was dismissed for 12 after a fine caught and bowled effort by Nadine de Klerk.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, playing her landmark 200th T20 International, became the first cricketer to reach the milestone. She scored 24 and shared India’s highest partnership of the innings, a 33 run stand with Deepti Sharma.
Deepti contributed 29 but was unable to accelerate significantly, while Richa Ghosh struggled for fluency before being dismissed by Kapp. Late contributions from the lower order helped India approach 160, but South Africa’s attack ensured the total remained within reach.
Kapp’s influence on the match extended beyond her batting heroics. She claimed 2/27 with the ball, while Ismail also picked up two wickets as South Africa maintained pressure throughout the innings.
The victory boosts South Africa’s campaign and underlines their credentials as genuine title contenders, while India will look to quickly regroup after seeing their unbeaten start to the tournament come to an end.
Brief scores: India 158/7 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 31, Deepti Sharma 29; Marizanne Kapp 2/27, Shabnim Ismail 2/28) lost to South Africa 161/4 in 19.1 overs (Marizanne Kapp 81 not out, Tazmin Brits 40; N Sree Charani 3/24) by six wickets.
