Women’s T20 World Cup: South Africa script history with stunning chase against India, surpass Australia’s record | Cricket News

South Africa beat India by six wickets at Old Trafford. (Photo credit: ICC)

Marizanne Kapp produced one of the finest innings in Women’s T20 World Cup history as South Africa stunned India by six wickets at Old Trafford on Sunday, completing a record chase that kept their semi-final hopes alive.The Proteas successfully chased down 159 with five balls to spare, fueled by Kapp’s breathtaking 81 off just 45 deliveries. In doing so, South Africa not only recorded their most successful chase in Women’s T20 World Cup history, surpassing their previous best of 135 against Australia in the 2024 semi-final, but also set a new benchmark in Women’s T20 internationals.With the win, South Africa recorded their 10th successful chase of a 150-plus target in Women’s T20Is, overtaking Australia (nine) for the most by any side in the format. Remarkably, four of those 10 wins came in 2026 alone.

South Africa has rewritten the record books

The 159-run chase is now among the highest in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Only England’s chase of 164 against Australia in the 2009 semi-final and West Indies’ chase of 163 against New Zealand earlier in the 2026 edition are higher.Four of South Africa’s 10 successful 150-plus runs have come against India, including their highest chase of 193 in Johannesburg earlier this year.The win significantly boosted South Africa’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals. Having already suffered a defeat to unbeaten Australia, the Proteas needed a win to stay in contention.

Over 150 successful runs in the Women’s T20 World Cup

Kapp turns the tide after a slow start

South Africa’s reply looked set to settle at 45/2 after nine overs, with the required rate rising above 10 runs. But Kapp and opener Tazmin Brits transformed the contest with a 97-run partnership.The British, playing their first T20 World Cup game since the 2024 final, contributed a valuable 40 from 36 balls. Both batsmen enjoyed slices of luck, with the Brit claiming an lbw decision on the 28th and Kapp surviving a drop on the 25th.Kapp reached his half-century off just 34 balls and accelerated brilliantly at the death. Even after Shafali Verma dismissed the Brits in the 17th over, the all-rounder continued his onslaught, smashing a six off the next delivery and surviving another chance in 65.She then hammered two sixes off Deepti Sharma in a decisive 16-run 19th over before Chloe Tryon hit the winning boundary.Earlier, Kapp also played with the ball, claiming 2-27, including the precious wicket of Smriti Mandhana.India, who posted 158/7 after useful contributions from Shafali Verma and Harmanpreet Kaurthey now face a must-win clash against Australia at a sold-out Lord’s later on Sunday.