Marizanne Kapp’s unbeaten 81 sinks India as South Africa claim six-wicket win Cricket News:
Marizanne Kapp produced a match-winning all-round performance as South Africa beat India by six wickets in their Women’s T20 World Cup Group A clash on Sunday.Kapp starred with both bat and ball, first returning 2/27 before unleashing an unbeaten 81 off just 45 deliveries to guide South Africa to victory with five balls to spare. His knock included seven boundaries and four sixes and proved decisive in India’s 161/4 chase of 158/7.India let go of the missed opportunities, with substitute fielder Radha Yadav dropping Kapp twice at key moments, allowing the South African all-rounder to take full advantage.Facing a two-paced 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: made 24 off 22 deliveries.India’s innings started brightly, reaching 54 without loss, but they suffered an agonizing collapse, slumping to 83/4 before Deepti and Harmanpreet put together a solid 33-run stand for the fifth wicket. However, poor shot selection and loss of momentum held them to a below-par total.South Africa’s chase initially looked steady rather than aggressive, with openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits carefully negotiating the new ball. However, India hit back through Shree Charani, who produced a double-wicket maiden to shift the momentum. He took a sharp return catch to dismiss Wolvaardt for 20 and then hit Annerie Dercksen for a duck two balls later.Despite the setback, South Africa were rebuilt by a crucial 97-run partnership between Kapp and Brits, which ultimately shaped the outcome of the match. The duo rotated the strikes efficiently and found regular boundaries, keeping the required rate under control.The Brits made 40 off 36 balls before falling in the 17th over, carving a catch into deep backward square, a wicket that could have come earlier had Radha Yadav not squandered another straightforward opportunity.Kapp continued unabated and edged his side over the line, punishing loose deliveries and capitalizing on his recovery 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 table-toppers Australia, keeping the race for the group stage firmly set.
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