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- India vs South Africa Highlights, Women's World Cup 2025: India suffer first defeat; Nadine de Klerk heroics hand South Africa 3-wicket win
India vs South Africa Highlights, Women's World Cup 2025: India suffer first defeat; Nadine de Klerk heroics hand South Africa 3-wicket win
Opting to bat first, India started steadily through openers but faltered midway. After reaching 55 for no loss, they lost six wickets for just 47 runs, collapsing to 102 for six inside 26 overs. The early dismissals left India reeling, but Richa Ghosh stepped up in style. Displaying immense maturity and power, the wicketkeeper-batter unleashed a counter-attack that kept India alive. Her 77-ball knock, featuring 11 fours and four sixes, completely changed the tempo of the innings. She found brief support from Pratika Rawal (37) and Sneh Rana (33) as India scraped their way to 251 all out in 49.5 overs.
Chloe Tryon (3/32) was South Africa’s best bowler, maintaining pressure through the middle overs.
In response, South Africa’s chase revolved around captain Laura Wolvaardt, who played a composed knock of 70, ensuring stability up front. After her dismissal, Chloe Tryon’s brisk 49 kept the required rate in check. The real turnaround, however, came from de Klerk, who played a sensational match-winning innings under pressure. Her 84 not out off 54 balls, laced with five towering sixes and eight boundaries, sealed the game with seven balls to spare.
For India, Sneh Rana (2/47) and Deepti Sharma kept the contest alive briefly, but South Africa’s composure in the death overs proved decisive.
Despite Ghosh’s dazzling effort, India were left to rue their mid-innings collapse and inconsistent bowling. The defeat dents their campaign, while South Africa’s hard-fought win keeps their knockout hopes very much alive.champions Australia.
Nonkululeko Mlaba to Harleen Deol, Floated, full and around off, Harleen Deol strides out and drives it through covers for a brace.
Nonkululeko Mlaba to Harleen Deol, Flighted, full and on off, Harleen Deol pushes it to short covers.
Harleen Deol walks out to bat at number 3.
Nonkululeko Mlaba to Smriti Mandhana, OUT! TAKEN! Nonkululeko Mlaba gets a massive breakthrough for South Africa Women! The bowling change has worked wonders for the visitors as they see the back of the dangerous Smriti Mandhana. This is tossed up, full and around middle. Smriti's eyes light up as she goes to loft it down the ground. She wants to hit it over the bowler's head but fails to get underneath the ball and ends up hitting it straight towards long on, where Sune Luus comes forward a bit and pouches it safely. Mandhana is disappointed with that shot, but has to depart for 23 off 32 and once again fails to convert her start. India Women are 55/1, and the crowd has gone dead silent!
Nonkululeko Mlaba to Smriti Mandhana, Starts with a loopy low full toss, on middle, Smriti Mandhana drills it back to the bowler.
End of Powerplay! South Africa Women will now be allowed to station four fielders outside the 25-yard circle for the rest of the innings. Also, time for some spin now as Nonkululeko Mlaba comes into the attack.
- Smriti Mandhana 23 (30)
- Pratika Rawal 26 (31)
Nadine De Klerk to Smriti Mandhana, On a length, outside off, Smriti Mandhana hangs back and cuts it through backward point for a single.
Nadine De Klerk to Smriti Mandhana, Pitched up, on off, Smriti Mandhana looks to drive it but edges it to the fielder at short third. Dot.
Nadine De Klerk to Smriti Mandhana, Oh! Much fuller, outside off, shaping away. Smriti Mandhana tries to drive it but gets beaten.
Nadine De Klerk to Smriti Mandhana, On a length, on off, Smriti Mandhana taps it to the fielder at backward point.
Nadine De Klerk to Smriti Mandhana, Too full, outside off, Smriti Mandhana leans on and steers it through backward point for a brace.
Nadine De Klerk to Smriti Mandhana, FOUR! Welcome to the attack, Nadine De Klerk! Slightly shorter, on off, Smriti Mandhana goes deep in her crease and pulls it magnificently over mid-wicket for a boundary. 50 comes up for India Women.
- Pratika Rawal 26 (31)
- Smriti Mandhana 16 (24)
Marizanne Kapp to Pratika Rawal, Much fuller, outside off, with a hint of movement. Pratika Rawal leaves the harmless delivery.
Marizanne Kapp to Pratika Rawal, Hard length, outside off, shaping away. Pratika Rawal has a lazy waft at it but gets beaten.
Marizanne Kapp to Pratika Rawal, Slower one, outside off, Pratika Rawal leaves it alone.
Marizanne Kapp to Smriti Mandhana, Keeps it full, on leg, Smriti Mandhana flicks it fine for one more.
Marizanne Kapp to Pratika Rawal, Goes fuller, on leg, Pratika Rawal looks to flick it but gets an inside edge as the ball rolls towards fine leg. They collect a single.
Marizanne Kapp to Smriti Mandhana, On a length, down leg, Smriti Mandhana tickles it fine for a single. Good work in the deep.
- Pratika Rawal 25 (27)
- Smriti Mandhana 14 (22)
Ayabonga Khaka to Pratika Rawal, Too full, on off, Pratika Rawal pushes it to mid off.
Ayabonga Khaka to Pratika Rawal, Wide! Sways it down the leg side, Pratika Rawal looks to flick it but misses.
Ayabonga Khaka to Pratika Rawal, Another dot. Much fuller, on leg, Pratika Rawal flicks it to the fielder at mid on.
Ayabonga Khaka to Pratika Rawal, Back of a length, angling in, on off. Pratika Rawal stays back and punches it to mid off. Dot.
Ayabonga Khaka to Pratika Rawal, Length, on off, Pratika Rawal stays in her crease and taps it to mid off.
Ayabonga Khaka to Smriti Mandhana, Much fuller, on off, Smriti Mandhana pushes it to cover for one.
Ayabonga Khaka to Smriti Mandhana, Wide! Bowls it way outside off, Smriti Mandhana leaves. Wided.
Ayabonga Khaka to Smriti Mandhana, SIX! That will bring smiles on the faces of the Indian fans! A half tracker, on off, Smriti Mandhana takes a step forward and clatters it down the ground for a biggie.
- Pratika Rawal 25 (23)
- Smriti Mandhana 7 (20)
Marizanne Kapp to Pratika Rawal, Goes fuller, on leg, Pratika Rawal hangs back and blocks it back to the bowler.
Marizanne Kapp to Pratika Rawal, Good length, on middle, Pratika Rawal rocks back and blocks it to the cover fielder.
Marizanne Kapp to Smriti Mandhana, Much fuller, outside off, Smriti Mandhana tries to drive it but gets an inside edge as the ball rolls towards fine leg. They collect a single.
Marizanne Kapp to Smriti Mandhana, On a length, outside off, and it stays a tad low. Smriti Mandhana looks to slog it but gets beaten.
Marizanne Kapp to Smriti Mandhana, Keeps it full this time, on middle and leg, Smriti Mandhana flicks it to the fielder at mid on.
Marizanne Kapp to Smriti Mandhana, Back of a length, on off, Smriti Mandhana stays back and punches it through covers for a brace. Good running between the wickets!
- Pratika Rawal 25 (21)
- Smriti Mandhana 4 (16)
Ayabonga Khaka to Pratika Rawal, Much fuller this time, on off, Pratika Rawal pushes it to the fielder at mid off.
Ayabonga Khaka to Pratika Rawal, Slightly shorter, outside off, Pratika Rawal slaps it. The fielder does well to stop it to her left. Keeps it to a dot.
Ayabonga Khaka to Pratika Rawal, Hard length, on off, Pratika Rawal fends it back to the bowler.
Ayabonga Khaka to Smriti Mandhana, Length, just outside off, Smriti Mandhana pushes it to cover for one.
Ayabonga Khaka to Smriti Mandhana, Much fuller, on off, Smriti Mandhana blocks it back to the bowler.
Ayabonga Khaka to Smriti Mandhana, On a length, on leg, Smriti Mandhana tucks it to mid-wicket.
- Pratika Rawal 25 (18)
- Smriti Mandhana 3 (13)
Marizanne Kapp to Pratika Rawal, FOUR MORE! Back to back from Pratika Rawal! Pitched up, outside off, shaping away. Pratika Rawal picks it well and drives it magnificently through covers for yet another boundary.
Marizanne Kapp to Pratika Rawal, FOUR! Makes the most of the free hit! On a length, on middle and leg, Pratika Rawal picks it well and flicks it elegantly through square leg for a boundary.
Marizanne Kapp to Pratika Rawal, No Ball! On a length, on middle and leg, Pratika Rawal looks to flick it but misses as the ball hits her pads. A loud appeal but the finger stays down. They were almost reviewing it but the siren went up. Marizanne Kapp had overstepped. The replay later shows that it was indeed hitting the leg pole. Free Hit coming up...
Marizanne Kapp to Pratika Rawal, Oh! Length and it shapes away late, outside off. Pratika Rawal pokes at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.
Marizanne Kapp to Smriti Mandhana, A low full toss, on leg, Smriti Mandhana walks down the pitch and turns it to deep backward square leg for a single.
Marizanne Kapp to Smriti Mandhana, Good length, with a hint of movement, Smriti Mandhana fends it back to the bowler.
Marizanne Kapp to Smriti Mandhana, On a length, angling in, on middle, Smriti Mandhana looks to flick it but gets the inside half of her bat at the ball rolls towards the fielder at short mid-wicket. Dot.
- Smriti Mandhana 2 (10)
- Pratika Rawal 17 (14)
Ayabonga Khaka to Smriti Mandhana, Length again, on off, Smriti Mandhana stays in her crease and punches it to the left of the cover fielder for a single.
Ayabonga Khaka to Smriti Mandhana, Hard length, on off, Smriti Mandhana punches it to the fielder at cover.
Ayabonga Khaka to Pratika Rawal, On a length, outside off, Pratika Rawal looks to drive it but gets an inside edge as the ball rolls towards fine leg. They collect a single.
Ayabonga Khaka to Pratika Rawal, Too full this time, on middle, Pratika Rawal flicks it through backward square leg for a brace. The fielder chases and flicks the ball just before the fence.
Ayabonga Khaka to Pratika Rawal, Keeps it full, on leg, Pratika Rawal flicks it but finds the fielder at mid-wicket.
India, sent in to bat, were cruising at 55 without loss before suffering a collapse that saw them slump to 102 for six by the 26th over. Just when South Africa appeared in full control, Ghosh counter-attacked brilliantly, striking 11 fours and four sixes to single-handedly revive the innings. Her aggressive 94, supported briefly by Pratika Rawal (37) and Sneh Rana (33), pushed India to a competitive 251 all out in 49.5 overs.
In reply, Wolvaardt anchored the chase with patience before Chloe Tryon’s 49 accelerated the scoring. When India clawed back with quick wickets, de Klerk took charge, smashing five sixes and eight boundaries to see her side home in 48.5 overs at 252 for seven.
For India, Rana was the most effective bowler with 2/47, but the attack struggled to contain South Africa’s late onslaught. Despite Ghosh’s fireworks, India’s middle-order collapse and lack of finishing touch with the ball cost them dearly.
Match Statistics
Venue
Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
