South Africa beat India by six wickets in a tense T20 World Cup match at Old Trafford. Marizanne Kapp was the star of the chase. She hit seven fours and four sixes. The Proteas reached 161 for four to overhaul India’s total of 158 for seven.
It was the first time South Africa had played India in a T20 World Cup match. Old Trafford was packed with fans, most of them cheering for India. Kapp silenced the crowd with sharp, clean hitting that turned the match on its head.
South Africa had already lost their opening game to Australia. This win was badly needed to keep their World Cup campaign alive. The Proteas are now equal on points with India in the group. Both teams trail Australia. South Africa still have two group games left — against Bangladesh and the Netherlands.
India won the toss and chose to bat first. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma started fast. They put on 30 runs in the first three overs. India scored 59 in the powerplay, but both openers fell in the process. Mandhana was bowled by Kapp while trying a risky scoop. Verma was caught behind off a Shabnim Ismail bouncer that clipped her glove.
India fell from 30 without loss to 67 for three. Yastika Bhatia was trapped leg before wicket by Ayabonga Khaka. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, playing her 200th T20 international, fought to hold the innings together. She made 24 off 22 balls before being bowled by Ismail. Jemima Rodrigues gave a simple catch back to Nadine de Klerk. Deepti Sharma added 29 and Richa Ghosh added 15 to take India to 158 for seven. The Indian camp felt they finished about 20 runs short on a good batting pitch.
Kapp and Ismail were the best of the South African bowlers. Kapp took 2 for 27 and Ismail finished with 2 for 28. Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka and Nadine de Klerk each took one wicket.
South Africa’s chase got off to a rough start. Shree Charani bowled a double-wicket maiden in the sixth over. She had Laura Wolvaardt caught and bowled for 20. She then bowled Annerie Dercksen with the very next ball. South Africa were in real trouble, losing their top order to spin.
Kapp came in and joined opener Tazmin Britz. The two put on 97 runs off 63 balls for the third wicket. Britz scored 40 off 36 balls before being caught on the square leg boundary. When she fell, South Africa still needed 37 off four overs. De Klerk was then bowled by Charani with just 13 balls to go.
Kapp did not panic. She hit sixes in the 18th and 19th overs to bring South Africa close to the target. Chloe Tryon hit the winning boundary off the first ball of the final over from Deepti Sharma. South Africa had done it.
Charani was the pick of India’s bowlers. She took 3 for 24 in her four overs. All four South African wickets fell to spin. But Kapp’s bat gave the Proteas the last word.
South Africa’s next group match is against Bangladesh. A win there will push them closer to the semi-finals. India also remain in the running and will need strong results in their remaining group games.
Alex Jordan is a sports journalist based in Johannesburg. He covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, Premier Soccer League (PSL), Cricket South Africa and major international tournaments. With a focus on match analysis, player profiles and behind-the-scenes stories, Alex brings SA sports fans closer to the action. He has reported on key sporting events including Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Super Rugby Pacific and PSL title races.