Womens T20 World Cup 2026

FOUR! Edged away! That's it. South Africa win by 6 wickets with 5 balls to spare. Skidding through, on a back of a length, outside off. Tryon throws her hands at the ball. It goes past short third off an outside edge and down to the fence. Hugs and smiles all around in the Proteas camp as they pick up vital two points and hand India their first defeat of the tournament. According to the on-air commentators, this is the third-highest successful run chase in Women's T20 World Cup history.

Just 2 needed for the win now. South Africa Women can see the finish line. Nandni Sharma to bowl the final over.

SIX! Marizanne Kapp lands a telling blow. That should do it for South Africa. Sharma tries to fire one in, very full, on middle and leg. Kapp clears the front leg and manages to get under the ball. She clobbers it over deep mid-wicket, where, despite a leap, Jemimah Rodrigues stands no chance. Kapp is pumped as she lets out a big roar.

Very full, on leg. Tryon steps out and pushes it to the right of mid off for a single.

This is fuller and quicker, on middle and leg. Kapp clears the front leg and clubs it to deep mid-wicket. Just a single.

SIX! Clears the fence! That brings the equation down to almost a run-a-ball. 10 needed off 9. Flighted delivery, on middle. Kapp gets down on a knee and plays the slog sweep. Jemimah Rodrigues sprints to her right at deep mid-wicket and leaps with an outstretched right hand but the ball evades her.

On the stumps, a tad shorter, Chloe Tryon slogs it through mid-wicket for one more.

Deepti Sharma floats it up, around the waist, Marizanne Kapp gets low and turns it through square leg for a single.

This one seems to be going down to the wire. 18 needed off 12 balls, and Deepti Sharma is back on to bowl the crucial 19th over.

FOUR! Easy pickings! A bit too short by Sree, on off. Chloe Tryon stands tall on top of the bounce and thumps it along the ground past cover-point for a boundary.

Chloe Tryon walks out to bat next.

OUT! CASTLED! Nadine De Klerk's cheeky attempt does not come off. Pushed through, on a good length, on the off stump. Nadine De Klerk walks across and attempts the fine sweep but misses and the ball crashes into the off pole. South Africa Women are 137/4, needing 22 runs from 13 balls.

FOUR! Good manipulation of the field. Darted in, full and on middle. Nadine De Klerk makes room for herself and carves it over the in-field on the off side. Plays it over cover-point and picks up a boundary.

Is Nadine De Klerk safe? A bit quicker now but stays full, on off. Nadine reaches out in front to go big on the off side but the ball spins past the outside edge. Richa Ghosh whips the bails off but the background check confirms that De Klerk had her back leg grounded inside the crease.

Keeps it wide on off, a bit fuller. Nadine De Klerk moves towards the off side for the sweep but fails to lay any bat on it. It clips her pads and races past short third for a couple of leg byes. Nadine De Klerk swings at it but the ball spins past the outside edge.

Tossed up, on off. Kapp knocks it to long off for a single.

Sree Charani is back on. She's picked up 2 for 15 so far in her 3 overs.

Shorter and on off, Nadine De Klerk chops it down on the off side. 29 needed off 18.

DROPPED! Marizanne Kapp has been put down again, and it is once again Radha Yadav, who is on the park as a substitute fielder. This was the easier of the two chances. This is at the stumps, on a length. Kapp swings through the line but checks her shot slightly. It carries all the way to long on, where Radha Yadav runs in off the ropes and tries to take the catch at waist height but it pops out. Single taken.

SIX! Clean strike! Pushed through by Shafali, a slot ball, around off. Kapp shuffles across and gets under the ball. With a clean swing of the arms, she slams it back over the bowler's head for a flat six.

Slower and on a length, a bit of turn, on middle. Nadine De Klerk lunges for the block. It goes off an inside edge behind square leg for a run.

Fired in, a yorker, on middle. Nadine De Klerk digs it out.

A bit of gamesmanship from India, slowing down the game and they get the wicket as well. Nadine De Klerk walks out to bat next.

OUT! CAUGHT! The golden arm of Shafali Verma strikes. The sheepish smile on her face tells the story. Not the best of balls by Shafali as this is a bit too short, on middle and leg. Brits crouches slightly and goes hard on the pull but it is skied off a top edge. It goes straight down the throat of deep backward square leg, where Sree Charani does the rest. End of a 97-run stand.

A bit of a halt as the batters rehydrate themselves. Actually, Richa Ghosh seems to be getting some attention from the physio. After a bit of a break, we are finally good to continue, and Shafali Verma is back in to finish her spell.

FOUR! That is superb batting! Low full toss and outside off, Marizanne Kapp gets down on one knee and cracks a drive through the left of cover for a boundary. 37 runs needed from the final 4 overs now.

Deepti Sharma gives it air, outside off, Marizanne Kapp drives it through extra cover for a brace.

Much fuller, on leg, Tazmin Brits digs it to long on for a single.

Excellent work in the deep! Flatter, on off, Tazmin Brits drills it powerfully down the ground. Jemimah Rodrigues runs to her left from long on and puts in a dive. She makes a brilliant stop near the fence. Keeps it to two runs.

Too full, outside off, Marizanne Kapp steps out and squeezes it out to cover for a single.

Slower one, outside off, Tazmin Brits moves to her off side and looks to paddle it fine but misses and wears it on her pads. The ball rolls towards short fine leg. An appeal but turned down. They collect a leg bye. They go against the review. The impact looked outside the line.

Deepti Sharma (2-0-18-0) comes back on.

Hard length, on middle and leg, Marizanne Kapp works it through mid-wicket for a brace. 48 required from 30 balls.

FOUR! Marizanne Kapp is just toying with the field here. FIFTY up for Kapp. Full and on leg, Marizanne Kapp gets low and sweeps it over backward square leg for yet another boundary. A knock of high quality from the senior all-rounder.

FOUR! She has been so good in those areas! Good length, angling in, on leg. Marizanne Kapp moves to her off side completely and paddles it over short fine leg for a boundary.

Down the leg side, Tazmin Brits looks to flick it but the ball brushes her pads and rolls fine. They collect a leg bye.

FOUR! That has been hammered down the ground! Full and straight, Tazmin Brits latches onto it and powers it to the right of long off for a boundary. 100 comes up for South Africa Women.

A low full toss, on off, Marizanne Kapp flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. Arundhati Reddy gets away with this.

DRINKS! A good over from India's perspective, and that has pushed the required run rate to close to 11 an over. South Africa are still in the hunt, but the pressure is beginning to mount with every dot ball. Tazmin Brits is striking at only a shade over a run a ball, and with the likes of Nadine De Klerk and Chloe Tryon waiting in the wings, will they consider retiring out Brits? Pace back on through Arundhati Reddy.

Tidy over from Shafali Verma. Flatter, on off, Marizanne Kapp drills it down to long off for a single.

Just 4 runs so far off this over. Full and straight, Tazmin Brits pushes it to mid on for another run.

Nice and full, on off, Marizanne Kapp knocks it down to long off for another single.

Good start to the over. Short and on off, Tazmin Brits slaps it to cover for a single.

Slows it up, on middle, Marizanne Kapp steps out and knocks it to long on for a single.

Drops it short, on off, Marizanne Kapp slaps it to extra cover.

Shafali Verma (2-0-9-0) is back.

Follows the batter down leg, Marizanne Kapp flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. 69 required from 42 balls.

FOUR! Marizanne Kapp is on the charge! She holds the key for South Africa. Short and on middle and leg, Marizanne Kapp moves to her off side and paddles it over short fine leg for a boundary.

A couple more. Angled into the right-hander. Kapp steps out and whips it wide of deep mid-wicket. A bit of hesitation but the batters eventually commit to the second run. Tazmin Brits is struggling to get home at the bowling end but the throw is a bit away from the stumps and she makes her ground with a slide.

FOUR! Top shot from Marizanne Kapp! Flatter and on off, Marizanne Kapp steps out and chips it over mid off for a boundary.

DROPPED! That should have been taken. Full, on middle, Marizanne Kapp flicks it uppishly towards long on. Radha Yadav runs to her right and gets both hands to it, but fails to hold on before she falls on the floor. The ball parries away to her right. Jemimah Rodrigues runs to her left from deep mid-wicket and stops the boundary with a dive. Keeps it to two runs.

Too full from Sree Charani, on middle, Marizanne Kapp digs it back to the bowler.

Harmanpreet Kaur brings back Sree Charani. 2-1-2-2 so far for Charani. Yastika Bhatia is off the field at the moment. She is receiving treatment on her left leg from the physio on the sidelines. Radha Yadav is on as the substitute.

Dragged length on off, turning in, Kapp pushes it down to long on and picks up another single.

Full and straight, ends up being a low full toss, this is punched down to long on for a single.

Tossed up at the stumps, Tazmin Brits dances down the pitch and flicks it through mid-wicket. Radha Yadav cuts it off in the deep and saves a couple of runs.

Good review! Fired in by Deepti Sharma, full and flat at the stumps. Tazmin Brits looks to reverse sweep and misses, getting hit on the pads. There is an appeal for LBW and up goes the finger. Brits reviews it. The third umpire has a look and UltraEdge shows that there was a bit of bottom edge. The on-field decision is overturned.

SIX! Power from Brits! Tossed up around middle, Tazmin Brits comes down the pitch and lofts it down the ground, over long on for a biggie.

Full and flat outside off, Tazmin Brits looks to sweep it fine but fails to get it away.

Deepti Sharma returns now.

Well played again. Full and straight, Kapp plays a half sweep down to the right of deep backward square leg for a couple of runs. 92 needed from 54.

FOUR! Up and away! Good length around off, Kapp lunges away to the off side, goes on one knee and swings it over short fine leg for a boundary.

Huge swing and a miss! Slower one from Nandni Sharma, outside off, Marizanne Kapp winds up and swings hard but misses.

That's well bowled! A yorker on off, dips on the batter, Marizanne Kapp smothers it away.

On a length and on off, lofted away without much timing and over mid on for a single.

Back of a length, dragged wider of the off stump, Kapp pats it through covers for a single.

South Africa Women are 59/2 at the halfway stage. They now need 100 runs from the remaining 10 overs. Nandni Sharma is back on.

A direct hit, but Brits is well in. Flatter around off, dabbed down to short third for a single. 14 off the over.

Short on middle, pulled off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Drifted into middle and leg, Brits comes forward to flick but fails to get it away.

Tossed up, full and outside off, stroked away through covers for a single.

WIDE! Dragged shorter but the googly is spilled down the leg side.

SIX! That's gone all the way, just. Tossed up on middle and leg, Marizanne Kapp gets down to sweep and nails it flat and to the right of deep backward square leg. Nandni Sharma gets across and gets an outstretched right hand on it, but the ball goes over the ropes. The 50 is up for South Africa Women.

FOUR! Much-needed for South Africa Women. Full and wide outside off, Marizanne Kapp gets her hands through the line and hammers it over covers for a boundary.

Tidy over from Arundhati Reddy. South Africa Women need 114 in 66 balls. Prema Rawat returns.

Pitched fuller on middle and leg, swung away in front of square leg for another single.

On a good length, Tazmin Brits walks down the track and shovels it through mid-wicket for one more.

Full and straight, jammed across in front of mid-wicket for a single.

On top of off, on a back of a length. Brits punches it wide of cover for a single.

Bowled on a length, on middle. Kapp smacks it on the bounce towards Reddy, who sticks out the right hand. It clips her fingertips and goes towards long on for one.

Full and on off, firmly driven to mid off.

Just out of reach! Heart-in-mouth moment for Tazmin Brits. No pace offered by Deepti, on a length, on middle. Brits leans forward and shapes up for the reverse. Spoons it over backward point, where Sree Charani back pedals and gets both hands over her head but the ball drops beyond her. A couple for Tazmin.

Keeps it at the stumps and full. Brits pushes it back to Deepti.

Looped up, on off. Kapp advances, looking to force it down the ground. She is early into the stroke and chips it well wide of the bowler to her left. They cross.

Oh, that could have gone anywhere! Floated up, down leg. Kapp is early into the sweep and the ball pops up off the back of the bat and drops beside the strip on the off side.

Slows it down and it is shorter, on leg. Brits goes deep in the crease and helps it to short fine leg. The fielder is caught on her heels and the batters sneak in a single.

FOUR! Nicely done! Begins with the off-break, floated up, on off and middle. Brits reaches out in front, brings out the reverse and plays it to the left of backward point for a boundary.

Deepti Sharma comes into the attack now.

Nearly dragged it on! A bit of air given, fuller and outside off. Kapp collapses her back knee and goes hard on the drive. Gets an inside edge and the ball dribbles past the stumps before going towards short fine leg.

Fractionally short, turning away, on off, punched to cover.

Attacking the front pad, full in length. Tazmin brings her bat out in front and wrists it through mid-wicket for another single.

On the pads, on a nagging length. Marizanne rocks back and works it wide of square leg for a run.

Tossed up, down leg. Brits plays the fine sweep and beats the diving Yastika Bhatia at short fine leg. Nandni Sharma gets to the ball from short third and hauls it in. Three runs taken.

Flat and short, sliding in at the hips. Tazmin Brits crouches and goes for the pull. Gets more of a top edge wide of deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

The debutant, Prema Rawat, to have a bowl now.

Flighted up, on off. Kapp firms the drive along the ground to mid off. A double-wicket maiden in the last over of the Powerplay. How rare is that?

Pushed through, very full, on middle. Marizanne Kapp digs it out.

Marizanne Kapp is sent up the order, in at number 4.

OUT! TIMBER! A double strike from Sree Charani. Floated up, landing in line with the leg stump. Dercksen clears the front leg and takes the risk of going against the turn. The ball lands and spins past the outside edge to clatter into the top of the off pole. A two-baller for Annerie. South Africa Women are now 25/2, needing 134 runs in 86 balls.

A bit fuller, keeping the stumps in play. Dercksen pushes out in front and miscues it off the inner half to mid-wicket.

DRINKS BREAK! South Africa Women are under some pressure now. They are 25/1 after 5.2 overs, and they need 134 runs from 88 balls. India Women have got the all-important wicket of Laura Wolvaardt and they will try and keep on picking wickets. Let's see how it pans out. Annerie Dercksen is the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT! This was coming. You could sense the pressure building on Laura Wolvaardt after a sedate start, with India doing an excellent job of denying her scoring opportunities. Darted in from around the wicket, fuller and on off. Wolvaardt steps out and tries to go back over the bowler's head. She connects well but does not get enough elevation to clear the bowler. Sree Charani times the jump to perfection and takes a fine catch over her head. South Africa Women are in early trouble.

Angled in, on middle, on a length. Laura steps out and shanks it off the inner half to mid on.

Quicker and on a good length, on off. Tazmin stabs it down on the off side.

Fuller and on middle. Wolvaardt advances and clips it to deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Up and over! Shafali offers flight again, on off, on a length. Laura dances down the track and even though she does not get entirely to the pitch of the ball, she extends her hands and launches it over mid off for a boundary.

Loopy ball, on middle and leg. Wolvaardt goes back to a full ball and chops the pull onto her pads.

Shafali pushes it through, outside off. A premeditated charge by Wolvaardt. She reaches out to the full toss but bunts it back to the bowler.

Flighted delivery, on middle. Brits presses forward and just eases it to long on for a single.

Too full, on off, Laura Wolvaardt jams it to mid on.

Nice and full, on leg, Tazmin Brits flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Fired in, on leg, Laura Wolvaardt knocks it down to the right of mid on for a single.

Three dots in a row. Full, on off, Laura Wolvaardt steps out and digs it back to the bowler.

Follows the batter down leg, Laura Wolvaardt backs away and eases it to mid on.

Sree Charani starts with a shorter one, on leg, Laura Wolvaardt blocks it back to the bowler.

Harmanpreet Kaur continues to ring in the changes. Sree Charani to bowl now.

Back of a length, on off, Tazmin Brits punches it to the fielder at cover-point. 9 runs off the over.

Goes full this time, on off, Laura Wolvaardt flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Laura Wolvaardt goes big! Arundhati Reddy follows Wolvaardt with a back-of-a-length ball as she backs away. Laura picks up the length early and heaves it over deep square leg for a biggie.

Slows it up, on middle, and slightly shorter in length. Tazmin Brits pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Hard length, on top of off, Tazmin Brits covers the line and blocks it back to the bowler.

Arundhati Reddy starts with a low full toss, on middle, Laura Wolvaardt flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Angling in, on leg, Tazmin Brits swivels for the pull but is rushed and she mistimes it to the fielder at short fine leg. Dot again and another tidy over for India Women, despite the boundary.

Good fielding! Slows it up, outside off, Tazmin Brits guides it to short third. Deepti Sharma dives to her left and makes an excellent stop. Dot ball.

Bangs it short and on middle, Laura Wolvaardt pulls it over backward square leg for a run.

Back of a length, on off, Laura Wolvaardt drills it to the mid on fielder, who dives to her left and makes a good stop. Dot.

FOUR! Through the gap at backward point! Hard length and outside off, shaping away. Laura Wolvaardt frees her arms and slashes it past backward point for a boundary.

Full and outside off, with a hint of away movement. Laura Wolvaardt tries to slap it but misses.

Pace from the other end. Here's Nandni Sharma.

Sprays it down leg, A tidy start from Shafali Verma. Just 3 runs off the over. Tazmin Brits gets inside the line and tickles it through short fine leg for a brace.

Full and on off, Tazmin Brits leans on and pushes it to cover. Just a single off the over so far.

Fired in, on off, Tazmin Brits tucks it to mid-wicket.

South Africa Women are underway, and so is their skipper, Laura Wolvaardt. Short and on off, Wolvaardt walks forward and knocks it to long on for a single.

Another dot from Shafali Verma. Short, on off, Laura Wolvaardt punches it to the cover fielder.

Shafali Verma starts with a dot. Floated full, on off, Laura Wolvaardt pushes away from her body and ekes out an inside edge onto the pads.

Kapp finishes things off with a dot, and India Women finish with 158/7 on the board. Kapp nails the yorker on leg and gets it to just tail back in a bit. Arundhati Reddy gives herself a bit of room again and swings across the line but the ball sneaks under the willow. 6 runs and a wicket off the last over.

Good, positive running. A low full toss, slanted into the legs. Arundhati Reddy backs away and slogs it wide of long on and races back for the second run.

An appeal for a run out, but Rawat seems to be safe. Kapp goes fuller now, Rawat drills it to mid off and sets off for the single. The fielder picks up the ball and throws it to Kapp, who whips off the bails, but replays show that Rawat was home safely. A direct hit would have done the job, though.

Good shot to get off the mark in international cricket from Prema Rawat. Hard length around middle, swung away aerially and towards cow corner for a couple of runs.

Prema Rawat walks out to bat on debut.

OUT! CAUGHT! Excellent execution from Marizanne Kapp and that's a fine catch too. Kapp takes pace off and floats it a bit fuller around the middle stump. Richa Ghosh has to wait for it and tries to hoick it leg side, but ends up getting a top edge. The ball lobs up towards short fine leg, where Ayabonga Khaka scampers in and dives to take a solid catch. Kapp gets the big fish with 4 balls still to play.

Full-pitched delivery around off, Reddy advances and drives it on the full, towards deep cover for a single.

Marizanne Kapp to close out the innings. 3-0-21-1 so far for Kapp. Can South Africa keep India under 160?

Back of a length, slower too and wide outside off. Richa Ghosh fails to reach it and wants a wide call, but the ball is just inside the tramline. 14 off the over, a good one for India.

FIVE WIDES! Oh, that's a gift from Ayabonga Khaka. Full and trying to dart it in at the pads, but spills it well down the leg side for five extra runs. 150 up for India Women.

FOUR! Gets it away this time, does Ghosh. Straighter in line, Ghosh walks inside the line and manages to flick it well wide of the short fine leg fielder for a boundary.

Top effort in the deep. Full and on the pads, Richa comes forward, converts it into a full toss and flicks it to the right of deep mid-wicket. Chloe Tryon sprints across and dives in to save a couple of runs.

Reddy backs away and Khaka follows her with another full ball. Reddy heaves it across to deep mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

Yorker-length again, on off, Richa Ghosh can't get under the ball and just shovels it down to long off for one more.

Fuller one in the blockhole, Arundhati Reddy leans ahead and pushes it through mid on for a single.

Ayabonga Khaka (3-0-17-1) to bowl the 19th over.

Flat and full again, on off, Ghosh drills it straight to mid off. Just 5 off the over, a wicket to go with it as well for Mlaba.

Full on middle and leg, punched down to long on for a single.

First signs of a bit of turn. Tossed up, full and around off, Arundhati Reddy looks to go down and sweep but misses.

First wicket to spin in this game. Arundhati Reddy makes her way out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! Well taken by Marizanne Kapp and South Africa Women get another wicket at the right time. Cleverly bowled by Nonkululeko Mlaba, slowing it right up and this is flighted wide of the off stump. Deepti Sharma looks for the scoop again but lunges well to the off side and falls over as she plays the shot. The ball gets lobbed to the left of short fine leg, where Kapp slides across and pouches it safely.

Floated up on leg, Deepti steps out and lifts it down to the right of long on for a couple of runs.

WIDE! Fired in way down the leg side, good take from the keeper. Not what you want when you are behind the over rate.

Quick and short, darted into the pads, Ghosh hoicks it across to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! Down the wrong line, and De Klerk ends the over just as she started it, with a boundary. Full and down the leg side, Sharma gets inside the line and plays the lap sweep past short fine leg for four runs. 11 off the over.

Good length, angled into middle and leg, Richa Ghosh winds up for the big hit but heaves it to wide long on for just a single.

Right on the money! A skiddy yorker, just outside off, Ghosh stays low to hit it square on the leg side but is well beaten.

Another attempted slower ball, turns out to be a low full toss on leg. Deepti Sharma looks to sweep but miscues it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Nice and full, angled into middle and leg, Ghosh leans on and clips it to deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Loose ball, and it goes to the fence in streaky fashion. Slower one, turned out to be a full toss outside off. Richa Ghosh goes after it but gets an outside edge into the deep third fence.

A timer graphic shown in the previous over indicated that South Africa were 9 minutes behind on the over rate. We could see them being penalised if they do not make up that time. Nadine De Klerk (1-0-5-1) returns to the attack.

FOUR! Streaky, but India Women will take it happily! Cross seam, outside off, Deepti Sharma looks to cut it but gets a thick edge as the ball races past short third for a boundary.

Brilliant over so far. Full and straight, Deepti Sharma knocks it to the fielder at mid off.

Angling in, on a length, on middle. Richa Ghosh taps it down to long on for a single.

Drags her length back, on off, Deepti Sharma knocks it to mid on for a single.

Beaten! A tad fuller, outside off, Deepti Sharma tries to cut it but misses.

Back of a length, outside off, Deepti Sharma cuts it to backward point.

Ayabonga Khaka (2-0-11-1) is back into the attack.

Excellent over for South Africa Women. Just 3 runs and a wicket from the over. Nice and full, on off, Richa Ghosh blocks it back to the bowler. Shabnim Ismail ends her spell with figures of 4-0-28-2.

Much fuller, on off, Richa Ghosh pushes it to mid off.

Richa Ghosh is the new batter in.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! The bowling change has worked as Shabnim Ismail picks the all-important wicket of Harmanpreet Kaur. An off cutter, on a back of a length, and outside off. Harmanpreet stays in her crease and looks to cut it late, but the ball comes back in to catch the bottom edge before it crashes into the stumps. Kaur departs, and India Women are 116/5 after 14.4 overs.

A tad fuller, on leg, Deepti Sharma knocks it down to mid on for one more.

Slows it up, on middle, Harmanpreet Kaur pulls it gently towards deep square leg for another run.

Angling in, on a length, on leg. Deepti Sharma helps it to fine leg for a single.

DRINKS! It has been a topsy-turvy first innings thus far. India Women were out of the box quickly, but South Africa Women have managed to pick up wickets at regular intervals. However, right now, it seems that India are once again starting to get a move on. Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma are playing nicely, and the Proteas will love a wicket right after the break. The physio is out to attend to Kaur, who looks to be feeling the effects of the heat. The Indian skipper is ready to resume. Shabnim Ismail returns to bowl her final over.

FOUR! 12 runs off the over! A good one for India Women. Nonkululeko Mlaba drops it short and outside off, Harmanpreet Kaur waits for the ball and cuts it in the gap through backward point as the ball races away.

Much fuller, on middle and leg, Deepti Sharma nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

Fires it this time, on leg, Harmanpreet Kaur shovels it to short fine leg for a quick single. Deepti Sharma gets home with a dive before the throw reaches the keeper.

Slower one, on leg, Deepti Sharma turns it to mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Gets it away! Tossed up, full and on leg, Deepti Sharma gets low and sweeps it past the right of short fine leg for a boundary.

Too full, on middle, Harmanpreet Kaur flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.

Slows it up, full and outside off, Harmanpreet Kaur pushes it through cover for one again. 8 runs coming off the over.

Nice and full, outside off, Deepti Sharma drives it through cover for one more. 100 comes up for India Women.

Angling in, on off, Harmanpreet Kaur stays back and punches it to cover for a single.

A tad fuller, outside off, Deepti Sharma cuts it through backward point. Marizanne Kapp has a long chase to do as the batters collect three runs.

This one holds the line, on off, Harmanpreet Kaur pushes it wide of mid off for another run.

Hard length, shaping away, Deepti Sharma punches it to cover for a single.

Fired in, full and on middle. Deepti brings out the broom and plays it behind square leg. Marizanne Kapp tidies up in the deep. Just a single.

Pushed through, flat and short, on off. Deepti taps it to the left of the bowler.

On a length, a bit of turn, on off. Kaur dabs it wide of point and rotates the strike.

Floated up, fuller and on off. Harmanpreet works it to a straightish mid-wicket fielder.

Flatter and around the off stump. Kaur defends it out.

FOUR! Put away! A half-tracker, slower through the air, outside off. Kaur waits for the ball to arrive and slaps it through point. Marizanne Kapp sprints to her left and covers a lot of ground in the deep. She dives but lets it through.

Excellent over from Nadine De Klerk. 5 runs and a wicket off it. Chloe Tryon returns.

In line with the off stump, more on the fuller side. Deepti plays a wristy flick past the diving Annerie Dercksen at mid-wicket and comes back for the second run.

Low full toss, on off, eased down to long on for one.

On a good length, on off. Kaur pats it down the strip. Nadine De Klerk gets low and makes the stop to her right.

Fuller now, on leg. Deepti clips it through square leg and gets off the mark with a single.

Deepti Sharma comes in to bat now.

OUT! CAUGHT! A soft dismissal. Nadine De Klerk strikes with her second ball. Cross-seam ball, angled in, on middle and leg. Rodrigues shapes up to turn it away on the leg side with a closed bat face. The ball comes on slower than she expected and catches the leading edge. It pops up beside the strip on the leg side. De Klerk moves to her right on the follow-through and slides to take a safe catch. South Africa strike just as India were starting to get a partnership going.

Delivers it on a good length, on middle. Kaur stays back and clips it through mid-wicket. They cross.

India Women are 82/3 at the halfway stage of the first innings. They will be targeting to get over the 170-run mark from here on. Nadine De Klerk comes into the attack now.

Offers flight, on the fuller side, on middle. This is driven to long on for a run.

Shorter now, a bit of turn, on off and middle. Rodrigues works it wide of deep mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Loopy ball, on off. Rodrigues collapses her back knee and reaches out with her hands. Plays it with the spin as she goes inside out over wide mid off. First boundary after 18 balls for India.

Angled in at the pads, on a good length. Kaur dabs it behind square leg for a run.

Slows it down and drops it short, on off. This keeps a bit low but Kaur cuts it through point. Chloe Tryon gets around in the deep and mops it up. A couple for the Indian skipper.

Flighted up, on middle. Harman goes right back in the crease and defends.

Nonkululeko Mlaba comes back into the attack.

This is on a back of a length, on middle, turned in front of square on the leg side for one more.

Bowled into the surface, over middle. Jemimah Rodrigues rises with the bounce and tucks it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Had to hurry! Ismail nails the yorker, on off, Kaur digs it out beside the strip on the leg side and the batters set off for the run. Ismail moves across to her right and kicks the ball in the direction of the stumps at the batting end but misses. Rodrigues was in anyway with the dive.

Fuller, outside off, seemed like the slower one from Ismail. Rodrigues leans to crack the drive away but she is early into the stroke. One hand comes off the bat handle and it is chipped in the vacant cover region for a single.

Drags the length back, on off. Jemi is standing outside the crease and she turns it to mid-wicket.

Begins on a length, on off. Rodrigues makes room to push it through the off side. Gets an inside edge onto the pads and it dribbles behind on the off side.

A successful start for Khaka, just 3 runs and a wicket off her first over. Pitched fuller at the stumps, shovelled away through mid-wicket for a run.

Back of a length over off, Rodrigues presses up with the bounce and fends it in front of mid on again.

Slightly fuller and at the stumps, Rodrigues backs away early, but then leans on and clips it to mid on.

Kaur is off the mark in her milestone game. Hard length in the channel, patted down towards cover for a quick single.

Ayabonga Khaka strikes in her first over. Harmanpreet Kaur walks out to bat in her 200th T20I game. The Indian captain is the first player, male or female, to feature in 200 T20Is.

OUT! LBW! That's skid through, but Yastika Bhatia has reviewed it. Ayabonga Khaka lands it on a good length around leg and gets the ball to slide on. Bhatia gets into an awkward position, slightly forward and side on, looking to play it on the leg side. The ball beats the bat to hit the pads, and after an appeal, the umpire raises her finger. The third umpire has a look at it. Nothing on UltraEdge and three reds on the Ball Tracker, which means Bhatia has to go and India lose a review as well.

Short of a good length, around off, Rodrigues stays back and works it leg side for a quick single.

Ayabonga Khaka has been called into the attack. So pace from this end and spin from the other.

Uppish but safe! Tossed up outside off, Bhatia comes down the track but pushes half-heartedly at the drive, hitting it just to the right of the cover fielder.

Slower one, floated on the pads, Rodrigues hops back and tucks it behind square leg for one more.

Dragged shorter, on middle and leg, pulled off the back foot to deep square leg for one.

FOUR! Cleverly done. Flatter one, angled across off, Bhatia waits back and just cuts it late behind backward point and picks up a boundary.

Much better length. A touch full on off, slides on, Bhatia pushes it out to mid on.

Flighted, slow and short outside off, tapped away in front of point for one.

End of the Powerplay. 1st 4 overs - 47/1, next 2 overs - 12/1. Time for spin as Nonkululeko Mlaba comes on.

FOUR! Yastika Bhatia spoils the over for Ismail with a blistering stroke. Full and wide outside off, Bhatia stays put, gets her hands through the line of the ball and hammers it square through covers for a boundary. India Women are 59/2 at the end of the Powerplay.

Rodrigues is underway in streaky fashion. Back of a length, in and around off, Jemimah Rodrigues pushes at it and gets an inside edge towards the leg gully region and picks up a single.

DRINKS BREAK! An excellent little phase for South Africa. Just 2 runs have come from the last 8 balls, and they have also picked up the big wicket of Shafali Verma. It is the ideal time for them to really apply the squeeze with Yastika Bhatia still relatively new at the crease. Speaking of Bhatia, she will need to find a way to get herself going. She has consumed a few dot balls, and strike rotation is just as important as finding the boundary. Jemimah Rodrigues joins Yastika out in the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Oh, that's a snorter from Ismail. The searing bumper, angles back in a fair bit as well. Shafali Verma is completely taken aback and just about manages to get out of the way, and the ball is pouched by Sinalo Jafta behind the stumps. Hang on, the Proteas think there's an edge, and the review is taken. Not much of an appeal to begin with, but Verma has started to walk as soon as the review is taken. That suggests that there might have been some willow or glove involved. The third umpire checks UltraEdge and does find a nick off the gloves. Verma has to walk back here.

Back of a length, a tad wide outside off, tapped away to the left of sweeper cover for a couple of easy runs.

Good-looking shot for no run. Full again, on middle and leg, Verma lunges and gets her hands out in front, punching it to mid on.

Full and fast, darting back into the stumps. Shafali Verma leans on and pushes it back down the pitch.

Shabnim Ismail is back to close out the Powerplay. She went for 14 runs in her opening over.

Oh, Bhatia nearly falls the same way Smriti did. Slower one, full and around off, angling in a bit. Yastika Bhatia shuffles well to the off side to scoop but misses. Luckily for her, the ball misses the stumps.

Length again, wider of the outside off, skidding through. Yastika looks to cut it away but is beaten past the outside edge.

Good length in the channel, pushed on the up and straight to extra cover.

Bowled from around the wicket, full and angled in from outside off. Bhatia drives it out to covers.

FOUR! Yastika Bhatia with a textbook drive. Full and on off and middle, Bhatia shows the full face of the blade and punches it straight back. The ball goes past the stumps at the other end and runs away to the fence. 50 up for India.

Pitched full and at the toes, Verma whips it across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up, short and outside off, Yastika Bhatia punches it through covers. Tazmin Brits dives but in vain. In the process, she appears to scrape some skin while sliding across the turf and is in a bit of discomfort. Laura Wolvaardt goes after it and hauls it in. Two runs taken.

Short, just outside off, Yastika Bhatia steers it to backward point.

Slows it up, on leg, Shafali Verma tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Shafali Verma is turning up the heat here at Old Trafford! Flatter, on middle, Verma shimmies down the track and powers it over long off for a massive six.

FOUR MORE! Back-to-back boundaries! Full and on middle, Shafali Verma gets low and sweeps it hard and through backward square leg for yet another boundary.

FOUR! Chloe Tryon is welcomed with a boundary! Tryon follows Shafali down leg, Verma moves forward and drives it through extra cover for a boundary.

Early blows traded, but the Proteas will be ecstatic to see the back of an in-form Mandhana. That brings Yastika Bhatia to the middle. Also, Chloe Tryon comes on to bowl, replacing Shabnim Ismail.

OUT! TIMBER! A much-needed wicket for South Africa Women, and Marizanne Kapp lets out a big roar. Kapp bowls it on a length from around the wicket with the keeper being up to the stumps. Smriti Mandhana moves to her off side and exposes all three stumps. She tries to scoop it towards fine leg but misses it completely as the ball hits the top of the middle stump. India Women are 30/1 after 3 overs.

Back of a length, on off, Smriti Mandhana slaps it but finds the fielder at point.

FOUR! Excellent use of the feet from Smriti Mandhana! Angling in, on a length, on off. Mandhana walks forward and flicks it in the gap between mid-wicket and mid on for a boundary.

Angling in, on a length, on leg. Shafali Verma hops a bit and nurdles it to deep square leg for a single.

On a length, on middle, Smriti Mandhana turns it to mid-wicket for a run.

A tad fuller, outside off, Shafali Verma drives it through cover for a single.

A fast start for India against South Africa's premier and veteran pacers.

FOUR MORE! A big over for India Women, 14 runs off it. Shabnim Ismail goes short and on middle and leg, Smriti Mandhana stays back, swivels, and pulls it magnificently through short fine leg for another boundary.

FOUR! Uppish but in the gap! A bit fuller and outside off, Smriti Mandhana leans on and cracks a dive in the gap through the left of cover for a boundary.

A bit short, on leg, Shafali Verma tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Aerial but safe. Hard length, outside off, Shafali Verma walks forward and drives it uppishly past the left of the cover fielder for a boundary.

Full, on off, Smriti Mandhana knocks it to mid off for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. A direct hit would have been close.

Shabnim Ismail starts with a length ball, on off, Smriti Mandhana punches it but finds the cover fielder.

Shabnim Ismail is ready to steam in from the other end.

FOUR! That's a poor delivery, and it gets the treatment! Marizanne Kapp errs it on leg, Shafali Verma moves a bit to her off side and tickles it through short fine leg. The fielder chases but the ball wins the race.

Honing in on a good length, on the off stump. Verma punches it away towards extra cover. Laura Wolvaardt dives to her left but can only make a half stop. It dribbles behind and Shafali comes back for the second run.

Stays at the stumps, on a length. Mandhana hangs back and nudges it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Nice and full, on off, Smriti Mandhana drives it to mid off.

Drags it back does Marizanne Kapp, on middle, Smriti Mandhana tucks it to mid-wicket.

Smriti Mandhana and India Women are underway. A bit of shape in, on leg, Smriti Mandhana walks forward and flicks it through square leg for a brace.

Done and dusted with the pre-game formalities, and it is now time to get the play underway. The South African players form a huddle near the boundary ropes before striding onto the field of play. The umpires have also taken their places, and out walks the Indian opening pair of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, to a big round of applause from the crowd. Marizanne Kapp has the new ball in hand, and she's raring to go. Let's play...

We are a few minutes away from the start of the game. But first, the flags of both teams are unfurled and the two sets of players line up for their respective national anthems. It will be the Indian national anthem first, followed by that of South Africa.

PITCH REPORT - Former English pacer, Isa Guha, is pitchside. She starts by wishing everyone a Happy Father's Day in the UK and mentions that the weather is lovely, with a bit of cloud cover around, and the wind has died down quite a bit from when the last game was played here. She further talks about the dimensions, informing that the straight hit is a long 70 meters, and the square boundaries are 61 meters on either side. Former Whiter Ferns' wicket-keeper, Katey Martin, joins her and starts by saying that the pitch looks good, and it is a new pitch for today's game. Katey goes on to say that it is dry underneath and there is grass on it, but it's fluffy grass, and it will suit the spinners more. Reckons that the pacers will have to use the cutters and bowl straight.

South Africa Women (Playing XI) - Laura Wolvaardt (C), Tazmin Brits (In for Sune Luus), Annerie Dercksen, Dane Van Niekerk (In for Kayla Reyneke), Marizanne Kapp, Nadine De Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Sinalo Jafta (WK), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, and Nonkululeko Mlaba.

India Women (Playing XI) - Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Richa Ghosh (WK), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat (On debut) (In for Shreyanka Patil), Arundhati Reddy (In for Kranti Gaud), Sree Charani, and Nandni Sharma.

The skipper of South Africa Women - Laura Wolvaardt says that they would have batted first as well, but will now look to restrict the opposition. Adds that they all know what's at stake today and will look to stay in the present. On facing India, she says that it feels nice to have won against them recently, but India have gotten the better of them in recent World Cups as well. Ends by informing that they have made a couple of changes as well, catering to the balance of the team.

The captain of India Women - Harmanpreet Kaur says that they will bat first. Adds that it's a good pitch and they will try to post a good total. She reckons that it's been an amazing journey for her, and she is playing her 200th game. She adds that the crowd has been their biggest support, and they will entertain them. She mentions that Prema comes in for Shreyanka, and Arundhati Reddy comes in as well for Kranti Gaud, who is resting.

TOSS - It's toss time in Manchester. The two captains - Laura Wolvaardt of South Africa and Harmanpreet Kaur of India are out in the middle for the coin flip. It will be Harman to call, and she does so correctly. India Women will BAT first.

THIS JUST IN - As the wait for the toss continues in Manchester, over in Bristol, West Indies Women have just beaten Sri Lanka Women by 5 wickets, making it three wins out of three. Chasing a small target of 99 runs, the Windies huffed and puffed a bit, but yet again, the experienced and calm head of Stafanie Taylor has taken them over the line in 16.1 overs. Also, it seems like Prema Rawat has been handed her maiden T20I cap by Harmanpreet Kaur, which indicates that she will come into the team, straight in place of Shreyanka Patil.

Crucial battle on a balanced track - The traditional pitch here in Manchester promises a fantastic contest between bat and ball. Batters will need to spend time at the crease to get used to the bounce, while bowlers who vary their pace and length effectively will find plenty of rewards. Expect a high-stakes tactical battle as both teams look to master these conditions. Stay tuned because the toss is coming up next.

Proteas hunting for consistency - South Africa enter this contest with plenty of belief, but they have serious lessons to learn from their tense win against Pakistan. After their bowlers put them in a commanding position, a dramatic late batting collapse nearly cost them the match. Today, the South African batters need to show much better composure in the final overs and focus on finishing the job cleanly. Laura Wolvaardt and her team know they cannot afford any psychological slip-ups against a ruthless Indian bowling unit.

Women in Blue looking to march ahead - India look incredibly strong but their main challenge today is adapting quickly after losing spin all-rounder Shreyanka Patil to an ankle injury. The management needs to find the right team balance, which means deciding whether to utilize Radha Yadav for lower-order hitting or bring back pacer Arundhati Reddy. Prema Rawat has replaced Patil, and we might even see her get a go. This game is also a historic occasion for captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who is set to become the first cricketer, male or female, to play 200 T20I matches.

Live from Manchester - Hello and welcome to a massive Sunday at Old Trafford. The race for the semi-finals is heating up as South Africa Women and India Women lock horns in a crucial Group A clash. India arrive with a perfect record after two impressive wins, while the Proteas have secured one victory from their two games. With Australia currently leading the group, this match provides a golden opportunity for both sides to strengthen their grip on a vital knockout spot.

... MATCH DAY ...

High stakes in Manchester - A crunch game awaits in Group 1 at Old Trafford as South Africa take on India in a clash that could have a major bearing on the race to the semifinals. The stakes are particularly high for South Africa, who have already suffered a defeat to Australia and can ill afford another loss. India, meanwhile, have won their opening two games and, with South Africa one of the sides expected to challenge them for a semifinal spot, a victory here would put them in a strong position to reach the last four. Openers lead the way - Coming into the tournament, much was said about India's reliance on their opening pair, and so far, the duo has delivered. Smriti Mandhana has produced back-to-back fifties, while Shafali Verma returned to form with a half-century against the Netherlands. That knock will do her confidence a world of good after a lean run in the England series leading into the World Cup and a quiet set of warm-up matches. What India do with the make-up of their middle order remains to be seen. Bharti Fulmali featured in the opening game against Pakistan before making way for Yastika Bhatia against the Netherlands. Whether chopping and changing in that role helps either player settle into the tournament remains open to debate. Questions with the ball - India's powerplay returns remain a concern. Pakistan raced to 52/1, and the Netherlands reached 39/1, with the new-ball attack struggling to make early inroads. As a result, much of the burden has fallen on Deepti Sharma and Sree Charani to provide breakthroughs through the middle overs. The Women in Blue have also been dealt a blow with Shreyanka Patil ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after suffering an ankle ligament injury in the previous game. It continues a frustrating run with injuries for the off-spinner, who also missed the 2024 edition with a broken finger. Leg-spinner Prema Rawat has been drafted in as her replacement. With tougher assignments against South Africa and Australia still to come, India will need to sharpen up in the field and find a way to be more effective with the new ball if they are to cement their place in the semifinals. Looking for sharper execution - South Africa suffered a heavy defeat to Australia and then missed an opportunity to significantly boost their net run rate against Pakistan. While they eventually got over the line, it was far from convincing. Pakistan recovered from 50/8 to post 126, with South Africa conceding 38 runs in the final three overs. Their death bowling is one area they will be keen to tighten up heading into a game of such importance. They will bank on early strikes from the experienced and trusted new-ball pairing of Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail. South Africa know that dismissing India's openers early could go a long way towards shaping the contest. The batting backbone - Sune Luus has endured a string of low scores, both in the lead-up to the World Cup and in the opening two games of the tournament. Tazmin Brits is waiting in the wings, but Luus earned plenty of credit during the home T20I series against India earlier this year, averaging 49.25 and registering a pair of half-centuries. Then there is Laura Wolvaardt, who enjoys facing India. South Africa's captain has scored more T20I runs against India than against any other opposition. The Proteas will look towards Wolvaardt, Kapp and Nadine De Klerk, while hoping for another strong contribution from the young Annerie Dercksen, who continues to grow in stature with every opportunity. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) - IND-W - WWLLW | SA-W - WLWLW. Familiar foes, new stage - Earlier this year, these two sides met in South Africa, where the Proteas Women handed India a 4-1 drubbing. Despite the two teams having faced each other regularly in recent years, this will be their first meeting at a Women's T20 World Cup. Conditions in focus - Old Trafford has produced good batting surfaces in this tournament, with both matches at the venue seeing scores in excess of 160. While the batters have generally enjoyed the conditions, there has also been enough assistance for the seamers with the new ball. With both sides boasting quality with both bat and ball, the ingredients are in place for a highly competitive encounter.