Marizanne Kapp starred with bat and ball but it was still not enough as the Proteas Women fell to a narrow six-run loss to India in the final match of their ODI series in Vadodara on Monday.

The all-rounder first claimed an impressive 3-22 in nine overs to help her side bundle out their hosts for 146 in 45.5 overs – their second-lowest score ever against the tourists. She then struck an innings-high 29 off 43 balls, but it was not enough as the South Africans were shot out for 140 in 48 overs.

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That left them just short as they ended the month-long trip on a low note. India’s win concluded a 3-0 series sweep and a disappointing end for coach Hilton Moreeng and his charges in a match where they showed so much promise.

It started when the home side won the toss and opted to bat first, with Kapp and fellow fast bowler Shabnim Ismail (2-18) strangling them up front by reducing the score to 23-3 inside the first 12 overs, thanks to their early hits and five maidens between them.

Harmanpreet Kaur (38) and Shikha Pandey (35) helped their team recover to 120-6, but Ayabonga Khaka (2-33), Sune Luus (1-15), Tumi Sekhukhune (1-27) and Nondumiso Shangase (1-28) cleaned up the tail to give India their lowest score against them since they made 114 in Bengaluru in 2014.

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The South Africans were given a solid enough start thanks to Laura Wolvaardt (23) as they reached 50-2 in the 13th over.

Three quick wickets left them in trouble on 63-5, before Kapp and captain Sune Luus (24) resurrected the chase. They got to 119-6 at one stage, but then lost the last four wickets for 21 – Ekta Bisht ending with 3-32 – and SA all out with two overs to spare.

Photo: Gallo Images