Harmanpreet blames dropped catches after India's 6-wicket loss to South Africa
Synopsis
India's six-wicket loss to South Africa in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup came down to three dropped catches — Tazmin Brits on 18 and Marizanne Kapp on 25 and 65. Kapp finished unbeaten on 81. The defeat, on Harmanpreet Kaur's 200th T20I, leaves India needing wins in their final two group games to stay alive.
Key Takeaways
India lost to South Africa by six wickets in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup in Manchester on 21 June .
India posted 158/7 but dropped three crucial catches — Tazmin Brits on 18 and Marizanne Kapp on 25 and 65.
Marizanne Kapp finished unbeaten on 81 to seal South Africa's win.
Spinners Sree Charani and Shafali Verma were India's standout bowlers, according to captain Harmanpreet.
The defeat was India's first in the tournament; they have two league matches remaining, starting against Bangladesh on Thursday.
The match was Harmanpreet Kaur's 200th T20 International .
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur pointed to costly fielding lapses as the decisive factor after her side fell to a six-wicket defeat against South Africa in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup in Manchester on 21 June. Despite posting a competitive 158/7, India's failure to hold crucial catches handed the match — and the momentum — to the Proteas.
The Dropped Chances That Decided the Match
Tazmin Brits was put down on 18, while Marizanne Kapp was reprieved twice — on 25 and again on 65 — by substitute fielder Radha Yadav. The pair exploited India's field placements with precision, hitting boundaries at will. Kapp went on to finish unbeaten on 81, steering South Africa to a memorable win and handing India their first defeat of the tournament.
'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,' said Harmanpreet at the post-match presentation.
Harmanpreet's Assessment of Kapp's Brilliance
The India captain did not shy away from crediting the opposition. '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 that. At this level when you miss those chances, nobody's going to give you anything easily,' Harmanpreet acknowledged.
Kapp's unbeaten 81 was the centrepiece of South Africa's chase, and the dropped catches on 25 and 65 proved to be the turning points that India could not recover from.
Bright Spots: Sree Charani and Shafali Lead the Spin Attack
Harmanpreet reserved praise for young spinners Sree Charani and Shafali Verma, both of whom took wickets and created pressure. 'Shree Charani and Shafali bowled really well. They were creating challenges, but unfortunately other bowlers didn't support them,' she noted.
On the pitch conditions favouring spin, the captain added, 'The ball was a little bit turning. If you use your finger spinners really well, then Shafali and Sree Charani did really well. Other spinners need to think about how to bowl, especially on these kind of wickets.'
India's Road Ahead: Two Matches to Qualify
India still have two league stage matches remaining, with the next fixture against Bangladesh in Manchester on Thursday. Harmanpreet indicated the team would reassess their eleven before that game. 'We will sit and rethink what we have to do, and accordingly we will pick the eleven,' she said.
Notably, this defeat also came on a landmark occasion — Harmanpreet's 200th T20 International. She reflected on the milestone with characteristic resolve: 'A lot of learning, a lot of positive moments, a lot of these kind of moments where you have to stay strong. This is what the game has taught me.' She added that her focus now is on giving her teammates strength ahead of the crucial remaining games.
India's next match against Bangladesh will be a significant test of the squad's ability to regroup and advance in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup.
Point of View
But the harder question is whether India's fielding standards have genuinely improved or whether the team continues to rely on batting and bowling to paper over a persistent weakness. With Bangladesh next, the group stage still offers a path forward — but the dropped-catches habit will need to be confronted before India face higher-calibre opposition.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did India lose to South Africa in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup?
India lost by six wickets primarily due to three dropped catches. Tazmin Brits was put down on 18, and Marizanne Kapp was reprieved on 25 and 65 by substitute fielder Radha Yadav. Kapp went on to score an unbeaten 81, guiding South Africa to victory in the chase of 158.
What did Harmanpreet Kaur say after the defeat?
Harmanpreet acknowledged the missed chances were decisive, saying 'at this level when you miss those chances, nobody's going to give you anything easily.' She stressed the need to stay positive and focus on India's two remaining league matches.
Who were India's standout performers against South Africa?
Spinners Sree Charani and Shafali Verma were highlighted by Harmanpreet as the pick of the bowlers, with both taking wickets and creating pressure. However, the captain noted that other bowlers did not provide adequate support.
What is India's next match in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup?
India face Bangladesh in Manchester on Thursday. Harmanpreet indicated the team would reassess their playing eleven before the game, making it a crucial fixture for India to stay in contention.
What was the significance of this match for Harmanpreet Kaur personally?
The match was Harmanpreet Kaur's 200th T20 International, a landmark milestone. Despite the defeat, she reflected on the learning the game has provided and pledged to give her teammates strength ahead of the remaining matches.
