South African Marizanne Cape and Chloe Tryon celebrate victory (Getty)
Marizanne Kapp produced an all-round match-winning performance as South Africa defeated India by six wickets in their Women’s T20 World Cup Group A match on Sunday.Kapp impressed with both bat and ball, first returning with figures of 2/27 before unleashing an unbeaten 81 off just 45 deliveries to lead South Africa to victory with five balls to spare.
Her knock included seven boundaries and four sixes and proved crucial in India’s 161/4 chase of 158/7.
India were left to rue the missed opportunities, with substitute Radha Yadav bringing down Kap twice in crucial moments, allowing the versatile South African to take full advantage.After batting first on a two-step surface, India struggled to build momentum and could only manage a modest total despite reaching 158/7. Deepti Sharma top-scored with 29 off 21 balls, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur notched 24 off 22 deliveries.India’s innings started brightly, reaching 54 without loss, but they suffered a dramatic collapse, falling to 83/4 before Deepti and Harmanpreet added a stable 33-run stand for the fifth wicket. However, poor shot selection and loss of momentum restricted them to a below-par total.South Africa’s chase initially looked steady, rather than aggressive, with the openers
Laura Wolfhardt
And Tazmin Brits is carefully negotiating the new ball. However, India responded through Shri Charani, who produced a double-wicket maiden to change the momentum.
She got a sharp catch to dismiss Wolvaardt for 20 and then bowled Annerie Derksen for a duck two balls later.Despite the setback, South Africa built back with a crucial 97-run partnership between Kapp and Brits, which ultimately shaped the outcome of the match. The duo rotated the stroke efficiently and found regular boundaries, keeping the required rate under control.The Brits contributed 40 off 36 balls before falling in the 17th over, edging out deep backward square, a wicket that might have come earlier had Radha Yadav not squandered another straight chance.Kapp continued unfazed and carried her side over the line, punishing loose deliveries and capitalizing on a reprieve to finish unbeaten on 81 as South Africa reached 161/4 in 19.1 overs.This result pushed South Africa to rise in the points table to third place behind India and Australia at the top of the standings, which kept the race in the group stage intact.
