Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp played pivotal roles in South Africa's 12-run victory over India in the opening T20I in Chennai on Friday (July 5). Brits scored 81 off 56 balls, while Kapp added 57 off 33 balls in a crucial 96-run partnership for the second wicket. This solid stand helped South Africa post 189/4 after being put in to bat. India, despite a strong start from Smriti Mandhana and a valiant effort from Jemimah Rodrigues, managed only 177/4, giving South Africa their first win of the tour.
Key Factors: India's Fielding and Middle Overs Struggles
Harmanpreet Kaur admitted that India did not perform well overall, citing too many missed chances and dot balls in the middle overs as critical issues. Dropped catches of Kapp and Brits allowed South Africa to build a significant partnership, whereas India faltered after losing Mandhana in the middle overs. Despite Rodrigues' unbeaten 53 off 30 balls, India's efforts fell short due to these lapses.
South Africa's Innings
Power play: Strong Start by Wolvaardt
South Africa began positively, scoring 44/0 in the Power play. Laura Wolvaardt set the tone with a boundary off Renuka Singh in the first over, followed by a six and two fours off the same bowler. A dropped catch by Shreyanka Patil off Pooja Vastrakar added to India's woes. Tazmin Brits hit a few boundaries, and despite a tight spell from Vastrakar, South Africa ended the Power play in a strong position.
Middle Overs: Productive Partnership
After losing Wolvaardt for 33, Brits and Kapp took charge, adding 87/1 in the middle overs. The pair batted aggressively, taking South Africa past 100 by the 12th over. Both hit sixes during this period, with bowlers Asha Sobhana and Renuka Singh proving expensive.
Death Overs: Brits and Kapp Propel Total
Brits and Kapp reached their fifties in the 16th over, contributing to a total of 58/3 in the final phase. Despite Kapp's dismissal in the 17th over, Brits continued to dominate, hitting two sixes off Radha Yadav. Chloe Tryon and Brits added crucial runs, leading South Africa to 189/4.
India's Chase
Power play: Mandhana's Quick Start
India had a rapid start, scoring 61/1 in the Power play, with Mandhana contributing 31 runs, including sixes off Nadine de Klerk and Eliz-Mari Marx. Shafali Verma supported well, but was dismissed by Ayabonga Khaka. Brits suffered a right leg contusion and had to be stretchered off.
Middle Overs: Key Wickets Slow Down India
Mandhana and Dayalan Hemalatha steadied the innings, but the latter struggled with her strike rate. Mandhana was dismissed by Tryon for 46, and Hemalatha fell to de Klerk. Rodrigues found her rhythm, but Harmanpreet struggled with timing, leaving India needing 65 from the last five overs.
Death Overs: South Africa's Disciplined Bowling
Rodrigues continued to score, but India needed 47 off the last three overs. Khaka's economical 16th over added pressure. Despite a few boundaries from Rodrigues and Harmanpreet, India couldn't keep up with the required run rate. Mlaba's final over secured the win for South Africa, conceding only 8 runs and taking Harmanpreet's wicket.
Brief Scores:
- South Africa: 189/4 in 20 overs (Tazmin Brits 81, Marizanne Kapp 57; Pooja Vastrakar 2-23)
- India: 177/4 in 20 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 53, Smriti Mandhana 46; Nadine de Klerk 1-30)
South Africa won by 12 runs.