Harmanpreet Kaur, India women’s captain, rued missing a few chances they got after the team’s loss to South Africa in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. The two teams had clashed on June 21 in Manchester.
Harmanpreet Kaur had won the toss and chose to bat first. Shafali Verma top-scored with 31 runs, while Harmanpreet Kaur (24) and Deepti Sharma (29) were the others as India made 158/7 in 20 overs. Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail took 2 wickets each for South Africa.
In the chase, Tazmin Brits made 40, the knock of the match came from Kapp, who remained unbeaten on 81 with 7 fours and 4 sixes as Indian bowlers couldn’t take wickets at regular intervals. South Africa won the game by 6 wickets, achieving the target with 5 balls to spare. Shree Charani picked 3/24 for India.
India didn't have the ideal fielding performance in their defense of 158/7; Tazmin Brits was dropped on 18, and Marizanne was crucially reprieved twice on 25 and 65 by substitute fielder Radha Yadav.
“I think we got a couple of chances in between, but unfortunately, we weren't able to take those chances. But I still think we have two matches to go, and this is the time to stay positive and think about those matches. I think we always talk about how we have to take opportunities at this level, but unfortunately, we were not lucky enough today.
“But I think we still have another two games, and now this is the time to think about those games. Next match (against Bangladesh in Manchester on Thursday), I think we still have two, three more days, and we will sit and rethink what we have to do, and accordingly we will pick the eleven,” said Harmanpreet at the conclusion of the game.
She commended the efforts of young spinners Shafali Verma and Sree Charani, who took wickets for India.
“I think Shree Charani and Shafali bowled really well. They were creating challenges, but unfortunately, other bowlers didn't support them,” noted Harmanpreet.
Harmanpreet Kaur lauded Marizanne Kapp’s performance, especially with the bat.
“She was brilliant today. She took the game away from us, but again, I think she gave us two crucial chances, but unfortunately, we didn't take them. But I think at this level, when you miss those chances, nobody's going to, you know, give you anything easily. And I think those were the crucial moments and they took the game away from us,” Harmanpreet stated.
On using spinners extensively, Harmanpreet explained, “If you're bowling, the ball was a little bit turning. If you use your finger spinners really well, then I think Shafali and Sree Charani did really well. And other spinners need to think about, like, how we have to bowl, especially on these kinds of wickets.”
India now has two more games to go and needs to win one more to qualify for the semis. India Women will next play Bangladesh Women on June 25 in Manchester, before clashing with Australia Women on June 28 at Lord’s.
(IANS inputs)
