Marizanne Kapp’s unbeaten 81 sank India as South Africa secured six wickets

South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon celebrate their victory (Getty Images) Marizanne Kapp produced a match-winning all-round performance as South Africa beat India by six wickets in their Women’s World T20 Group A encounter on Sunday.Kapp played with both bat and ball, first returning with figures of 2/27 before unleashing an unbeaten 81 off just 45 deliveries to guide South Africa to victory with five balls to spare. Her knock included seven boundaries and four sixes and proved crucial in India’s 161/4 chase of 158/7.India were left to rue missed chances, with substitute fielder Radha Yadav dropping Kappa twice at crucial moments, allowing the South African all-rounder to take full advantage.Batting first on a two-tier 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 for no loss, but suffered a dramatic collapse, slipping to 83/4 before Deepti and Harmanpreet added a stabilizing stand of 33 runs for the fifth wicket. However, poor shot selection and loss of momentum limited them to below-average numbers.South Africa’s chase looked steady rather than aggressive early on, with openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits negotiating the new ball cautiously. However, India hit back through Shree Charani who produced a double to move the momentum. She caught Wolvaardt for 20 with a sharp return and then dropped Annerie Dercksen for a duck two balls later.Despite the setback, South Africa rebuilt through a key 97-run partnership between Kapp and the Brits that ultimately decided the outcome of the match. The duo alternated the strike effectively and found regular boundaries and kept the required pace under control.The Brits contributed 40 off 36 balls before falling in the 17th over, taking the catch to deep backward square, a wicket that could have come earlier had Radha Yadav not missed another direct opportunity.Kapp continued unbeaten and carried her side over the line, punishing loose deliveries and taking advantage of her reprieve to finish unbeaten on 81 as South Africa reached 161/4 in 19.1 overs.The result moved South Africa to third in the points table, behind India and top-ranked Australia, keeping the race in the group stage close.