Manchester, June 21: In the 18th match of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, India suffered a 6-wicket defeat against South Africa. Following the loss, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed regret over missed opportunities in the field. However, she emphasized the importance of staying positive, as India still has two matches left in the league stage.
While defending a score of 158/7, India’s fielding was subpar. A catch from Tazmin Brits was dropped at 18 runs, and substitute fielder Radha Yadav let Marizanne Kapp off the hook twice at 25 and 65 runs. Both players capitalized on India’s field placements, easily hitting boundaries. Marizanne remained unbeaten at 81 runs, leading South Africa to a memorable victory.
After the match, Harmanpreet stated, “I think we had some opportunities in the middle, but unfortunately, we couldn’t capitalize on them. However, I still believe we have two matches left, and now is the time to stay positive and think about those contests. We always talk about how crucial it is to seize opportunities at this level, but unfortunately, luck was not on our side today.”
The Indian team will face Bangladesh on June 25, followed by a match against Australia on June 28. The captain added, “We still have two matches remaining. Now is the time to focus on those contests. We have two to three days before the next match, and we will sit down to strategize and select our playing eleven accordingly.”
In this match, Shree Chani took 3 wickets for 24 runs in 4 overs, while Shefali Verma claimed 1 wicket for 22 runs in her 4 overs. Harmanpreet praised both players’ efforts, saying, “I think Shree Chani and Shefali bowled exceptionally well. They were creating challenges, but unfortunately, the other bowlers did not support them.”
Acknowledging Marizanne’s match-winning innings, Harmanpreet remarked, “She played brilliantly today. She snatched the match from us, but I feel she also gave us two crucial chances that we failed to capitalize on. At this level, when you miss such opportunities, no one gives you anything easily. I believe those were pivotal moments that cost us the match.”
Regarding the use of spinners, Harmanpreet noted, “When we were bowling, the ball was turning a bit. If you use your finger spinners correctly, I think Shefali and Shree Chani did a great job. Other spinners will also need to think about how we should bowl, especially on such pitches.”
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