Kapp’s Match-Winning Knock Powers South Africa Past India in T20 World Cup Clash

Women’s T20 World Cup, Group 1, Manchester

India 158-7 (20 overs): Verma 31 (15); Kapp 2-27, Ismail 2-28

South Africa 161-4 (19.1 overs): Kapp 81* (45); Charani 3-24

South Africa won by six wickets

Marizanne Kapp delivered a match-winning performance, scoring an unbeaten 81 off just 45 balls as South Africa chased down India’s total of 159 with five balls to spare in a crucial Group 1 encounter.

Having claimed 2-27 with the bowling, Kapp anchored the chase with a vigorous display of strokeplay, hitting seven fours and four sixes. The all-rounder joined Tazmin Brits at the crease after the early loss of two wickets, and while their initial partnership yielded only 59 runs at the halfway stage, Kapp took control as the required rate diminished.

Brits fell for 40 off 36 balls, caught deep off Shafali Verma, but Kapp capitalized perfectly, launching two sixes in Deepti Sharma’s penultimate over. Chloe Tyron sealed the victory with a late boundary, ensuring South Africa remained atop the Group 1 table with four points from two matches.

India’s campaign got off to a promising start with Shafali Verma’s lively 31 off 15 balls, sharing a 59-run stand with Smriti Mandhana (22) before both openers departed. Despite Deepti’s 29 off 21 balls, India could only manage 158-7, leaving them level with South Africa on points but behind Australia’s six points.

The result sets up a decisive clash between India and Australia at Lord’s on 28 June, while South Africa face fixtures against Bangladesh and the Netherlands in their remaining group matches.

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