Kapp's Unbeaten 81 Powers South Africa to Win, Leaving India's Semifinal Hopes in Jeopardy
In a crucial Women's T20 World Cup match in Manchester on Sunday, South Africa defeated India by six wickets, keeping their semifinal hopes alive while dealing a significant blow to India's chances. Chasing 159 for victory, South Africa were in trouble at 45 for 2 after nine overs, but Marizanne Kapp played a masterful innings of 81 not out off 45 balls to steer her team home with six balls to spare.
India, batting first, posted 158 for 4 in their 20 overs after a strong start. Openers Smriti Mandhana (17 off 12) and Shafali Verma (31 off 15) added 41 runs in the powerplay, but South Africa's bowlers, led by Shabnim Ismail and Ayabonga Khaka, pulled things back. Mandhana was bowled by Kapp, and Shafali gloved a bouncer from Ismail behind. Jemimah Rodrigues (27 off 28) and Deepti Sharma (25 off 19) provided some late impetus, but the Indian innings lost momentum after the powerplay.
In response, South Africa lost Laura Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen early to Sree Charani, who claimed a double-wicket maiden. Kapp then began her rescue act, initially playing patiently and rotating the strike. The turning point came in the 10th over when she hit Prema Rawat for a six and a four, taking 14 runs from the over. She found able support from Tazmin Brits, who scored a measured 40 off 36 balls.
India's fielding let them down, with Radha Yadav dropping Kapp twice — once at long-on off Charani when Kapp was on 31, and again four overs later off Shafali Verma. Kapp punished these lapses by accelerating, bringing up her half-century with successive boundaries off Arundhati Reddy. She then smashed Deepti Sharma for two sixes in the penultimate over to seal the win.
The defeat leaves India needing to win their remaining group matches against Bangladesh and Australia to have a realistic chance of reaching the semifinals. South Africa, meanwhile, have revived their campaign after a loss to England.
