South Africa chased down 159, finishing on 161-4 in 19.1 overs, with Kapp sealing victory in the final moments after a nervy finish that swung repeatedly between the two sides.
India posted 158 – 7 in their 20 overs, built around a strong top order start and a late push from Deepti Sharma, but were pegged back by regular breakthroughs from the Proteas attack.
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Smriti Mandhana set the tone with 17 (12) before being bowled by Kapp, while Shafali Verma top scored with 31 off 15 in a blistering early burst. Yastika Bhatia made 15, Jemimah Rodrigues 12, and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur contributed 24(22).
Deepti Sharma added a valuable 29 off 21 to push India towards a competitive total as the innings closed at 158-7.
South Africa’s attack shared the spoils, led by Marizanne Kapp who finished with 2-27 in her 4 overs, while Shabnim Ismail also struck twice for 28. Ayabonga Khaka took 1-31, Nonkululeko Mlaba 1-33, and Nadine de Klerk 1-16. Chloe Tryon went wicketless but conceded 23 from her two overs.
In reply, South Africa’s chase ebbed and flowed. Laura Wolvaardt made 20 off 21 before being caught and bowled, while Tazmin Brits anchored the innings with 40 off 36. Annerie Dercksen fell for a duck, and Nadine de Klerk added 5 off 7.
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Kapp once again emerged as the match defining figure, finishing unbeaten on 81 off 45 balls, striking 7 fours and 4 sixes in a composed yet explosive finish under pressure. Chloe Tryon provided vital support with an unbeaten 10 off 4, helping close out the chase.
India’s bowlers made it difficult through the middle overs, with Sree Charani the standout performer taking 3-24 in her 4 overs. Deepti Sharma went wicketless but was expensive with 0-44, while Radha Yadav and others struggled to contain the late surge.
Photo: George Wood/Getty Images
