Marizanne Kapp’s unbeaten 81 sinks India as South Africa secure six-wicket win | Cricket News
Marizanne Kapp produced an all-match performance as South Africa defeated India by six wickets in their Group A encounter of the Women’s T20 World Cup on Sunday.Kapp starred with both bat and ball, returning figures of 2/27 before blasting an unbeaten 81 from just 45 deliveries to guide South Africa to victory with five balls to spare. His knock included seven boundaries and four sixes and was decisive in India’s 161/4 chase of 158/7.India were left to make up for missed opportunities, with substitute fielder Radha Yadav dropping Kapp twice at crucial moments, allowing the South African of all things to capitalize fully.Batting first on a two-paced surface, India struggled to build momentum and could only manage a modest total despite reaching 158/7. Deepti Sharma the most scored with 29 of 21 balls, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur made 24 of 22 deliveries.India’s innings had started brightly, reaching 54 without loss, but suffered a dramatic collapse, slipping to 83/4 before Deepti and Harmanpreet added a stabilizing 33-run stand for the fifth wicket. However, poor shot selection and loss of momentum limited them to a sub-par total.South Africa’s chase initially looked steady rather than aggressive, with the opener Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits negotiating the new dance carefully. However, India struck through Shree Charani, who produced a maiden double-wicket haul to change the momentum. He took a sharp return catch to dismiss Wolvaardt for 20 and then bowled Annerie Dercksen for a duck two balls later.Despite the setback, South Africa rebuilt through a crucial 97-run partnership between Kapp and the Brits, which ultimately shaped the outcome of the match. The duo rotated the strike efficiently and found regular boundaries, keeping the required pace under control.The Brits contributed 40 from 36 balls before falling in the 17th over, smacking a catch at deep backward square, a wicket that could have come earlier had Radha Yadav not squandered another direct opportunity.Kapp continued unfazed and took his side over the line, punishing loose deliveries and taking advantage of his lull to finish unbeaten on 81 as South Africa reached 161/4 in 19.1 overs.The result pushed South Africa up the points table to third place, behind India and top-ranked Australia, keeping the group stage race tight.
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