Kapp, Ismail Restrict India To 158/7 In Women’s T20 World Cup Clash

South Africa pacers Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail claimed two wickets each to help restrict India to 158/7 in their Group A match of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup at Old Trafford on Sunday.

After opting to bat first, India raced to 59/2 in the power play.

Scoring became more difficult during the middle overs on a dry pitch where the ball frequently held up. India managed 57/3 between overs seven and 15 before adding 42 runs in the final five overs.

South Africa’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout, allowing no batter to reach a half-century and conceding only six extras.

The total marked only the second occasion since 2016 that India crossed 150 in a Women’s T20 World Cup match without an individual fifty.

Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana provided India with an aggressive start, striking regular boundaries against the pace attack.

Mandhana looked in good touch before being bowled by Kapp after attempting a scoop shot. Shafali continued her attacking approach, including a six off Chloe Tryon, before edging a sharp short ball from Ismail and departing for 31.

Yastika Bhatia contributed 15 before being trapped lbw by Ayabonga Khaka, while Jemimah Rodrigues fell for 12 after a diving caught-and-bowled effort from Nadine de Klerk.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, playing her 200th T20I, and Deepti Sharma added 33 runs to stabilise the innings. Harmanpreet made 24 before chopping Ismail onto her stumps.

Deepti scored 29 and shared a brief boundary-filled stand with Richa Ghosh, but South Africa continued to strike at crucial moments. Deepti fell to Nonkululeko Mlaba, while Kapp dismissed Richa with a slower delivery.

Debutant Prema Rawat and Arundhati Reddy remained unbeaten as India finished on 158/7.

Brief Scores

India 158/7 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 31, Deepti Sharma 29; Marizanne Kapp 2/27, Shabnim Ismail 2/28) against South Africa.

Also Read: India, South Africa Set For Crucial Women’s T20 World Cup Clash