Manchester: Marizanne Kapp produced a stunning career-best unbeaten 81 off 45 balls to lead South Africa to a thrilling six-wicket victory over India in a Women’s T20 World Cup Group A clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Chasing 159 in a must-win match in front of 11,712 spectators, South Africa looked in trouble after managing only 25 runs in the powerplay. However, Kapp turned the game around with a sensational display of batting, playing a wide range of attacking shots and keeping the chase alive despite wickets falling at the other end.
Kapp’s innings, which included seven fours and four sixes, was supported by a crucial 97-run partnership with Tazmin Brits, who scored 40. After Chloe Tryon hit the winning runs, Kapp dropped to her haunches in relief before embracing Radha Yadav, who had dropped her twice, as South Africa kept their hopes alive in the “group of death” by handing India their first defeat of the tournament.
South Africa started their chase cautiously against Shafali Verma’s off-spin. India’s bowlers kept the pressure on, but Laura Wolvaardt found boundaries early, driving Nandni Sharma through point for four before pulling Arundhati Reddy for six and hitting Shafali for another boundary.
India fought back through left-arm spinner Sree Charani, who dismissed Laura after tempting her into a lofted shot and taking a return catch. After a dot ball, Charani struck again by removing Annerie Dercksen, who was bowled for a duck after attempting a cross-batted shot. The double-wicket maiden left South Africa struggling at 25/2.
Brits then combined with Kapp to rebuild the innings, with the former taking on Deepti Sharma by reverse-sweeping her for a boundary. Kapp initially struggled to find timing on her drives and sweeps but gradually settled in.
Debutant Prema Rawat’s leg-spin came under attack as Kapp carved one over cover for four before getting a top edge on a sweep that went over Nandni Sharma for six. The partnership continued to grow as Kapp scooped Nandni over fine leg for four, while Brits lofted Deepti over long-on and survived an lbw review after an inside edge.
After substitute fielder Radha Yadav dropped Kapp at long-on off Charani’s bowling, the South African batter shifted gears. She attacked Charani with boundaries, swept Arundhati for consecutive fours to bring up her fifty in 34 balls, and then struck Deepti’s full toss through cover for another boundary.
Brits was dismissed after pulling Shafali straight to deep square leg, but Kapp continued her assault, sending Shafali down the ground for four. She received another lifeline when Radha dropped a straightforward chance at long-on.
Charani later dismissed Nadine de Klerk after she had earlier hit a boundary over extra cover. However, Chloe Tryon’s boundary through cover kept South Africa within reach of victory.
Kapp then sealed a memorable finish by slog-sweeping Deepti for six and following it up with another maximum over mid-wicket. Tryon completed the chase in style by edging Nandni Sharma through the slip cordon as South Africa secured a dramatic win.
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; Sree Charani 3-24, Shafali Verma 1-22) by six wickets.
With IANS inputs