India Women Suffer Defeat As Dropped Catches Help South Africa Chase Down 159
ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026: South Africa Women chase down 159 as Marizanne Kapp stars with unbeaten 81; India suffer first defeat
Manchester: India Women captain Harmanpreet Kaur admitted that missed fielding chances proved decisive after India’s six-wicket defeat to South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Defending 158/7, India had early opportunities but failed to hold on to crucial catches, including reprieves for Tazmin Brits and twice for Marizanne Kapp. The South African all-rounder made India pay heavily, anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 81 as South Africa reached 161/4 in 19.1 overs.
India’s batting saw starts from Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, while Deepti Sharma added 29 and Harmanpreet Kaur scored 24 in her milestone 200th T20I. India finished at 158/7 after regular wickets halted momentum.
South Africa were briefly under pressure at 25/2 following a sharp spell from Sree Charani, but a 97-run partnership between Brits and Kapp turned the match around. Kapp then guided her side to their highest successful chase in Women’s T20 World Cup history.
Harmanpreet Kaur said the defeat offered important lessons, stressing the need to stay positive ahead of upcoming matches against Bangladesh and Australia.
