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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.
Sneh Rana to Laura Wolvaardt, Too full, outside off, Laura Wolvaardt tries to loft it but gets beaten.
Sneh Rana to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! The runs starting to flow from both ends for South Africa Women now! Down the leg side, Laura Wolvaardt uses the pace of the ball and tickles it fine for a boundary.
Sneh Rana to Marizanne Kapp, Much fuller, on leg, Marizanne Kapp flicks it to backward square leg for one.
Sneh Rana to Laura Wolvaardt, A low full toss, on leg, Laura Wolvaardt knocks oy down the ground for one.
Sneh Rana to Laura Wolvaardt, Short, on middle, Laura Wolvaardt tucks it to the mid-wicket fielder.
- Marizanne Kapp 13 (17)
- Laura Wolvaardt 23 (37)
Sree Charani to Marizanne Kapp, Much fuller, on off, Marizanne Kapp leans on and blocks it to short cover.
Sree Charani to Marizanne Kapp, FOUR! Well played! Much fuller, outside off, Marizanne Kapp gets low and lifts it magnificently over mid off for a boundary.
Sree Charani to Marizanne Kapp, Too full, on off, Marizanne Kapp pushes it to mid off.
Sree Charani to Marizanne Kapp, SIX! That will ease some pressure! Much fuller, on off, Marizanne Kapp gets down on one knee and clatters it down the ground for a biggie.
Sree Charani to Marizanne Kapp, Flatter, on middle, Marizanne Kapp blocks it back.
Sree Charani to Marizanne Kapp, Sree Charani starts with a fuller one, on off, Marizanne Kapp pushes it to the fielder at extra cover.
End of Powerplay! Now, India Women can have four fielders outside the inner ring till the rest of the game. At this point, India were 55/0, so they are ahead on runs, and South Africa Women have also lost a couple of more wickets. Also, spin from both ends now as the local girl, Sree Charani, replaces Kranti Gaud.
- Laura Wolvaardt 23 (37)
- Marizanne Kapp 3 (11)
Sneh Rana to Laura Wolvaardt, Flatter, full and on off, Laura Wolvaardt pushes it to short covers.
Deepti Sharma has been taken out from the first slip position. She moves to short mid-wicket. Jemimah Rodrigues has come in at silly mid on.
Sneh Rana to Marizanne Kapp, Shortish and on leg, Marizanne Kapp works it towards square leg for one.
Sneh Rana to Marizanne Kapp, Four dots in a row now! Gives this one some more air, full and on off, Marizanne Kapp drills it hard but straight to Sree Charani at covers.
Sneh Rana to Marizanne Kapp, Flighted, full and on middle, Marizanne Kapp defends it on the front foot.
Sneh Rana to Marizanne Kapp, Flatter, short and around off, Marizanne Kapp cuts it to point.
Sneh Rana to Marizanne Kapp, Tossed up, full and on off, Marizanne Kapp prods forward and steers it to point.
- Laura Wolvaardt 23 (36)
- Marizanne Kapp 2 (6)
Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, On a length and on off Laura Wolvaardt pushes it to covers.
Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, Good fielding once again! Hard length and around off, Laura Wolvaardt punches it firmly through extra covers. Deepti Sharma in the deep runs a long way to her right and dives to make a fine stop. Keeps it down to two runs.
Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, Short and well outside off, Laura Wolvaardt cuts it away but finds point.
Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! And again! Hits the length hard but again sits up nicely for the batter, Laura Wolvaardt picks up the length early and pulls it with disdain through mid-wicket for another boundary.
Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Put away! Short of a length and around off, but not enough to trouble the batter. Laura Wolvaardt gets on top of the bounce and heaves it away to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.
Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, Fuller and on middle, Laura Wolvaardt clips it to short mid-wicket.
- Laura Wolvaardt 13 (30)
- Marizanne Kapp 2 (6)
Sneh Rana to Laura Wolvaardt, Uppish but safe! Shortish and on middle, Laura Wolvaardt moves back and punches it aerially but wide of the bowler towards long on for one.
Sneh Rana to Laura Wolvaardt, Flighted, full and on middle, Laura Wolvaardt drills it to mid on.
Sneh Rana to Laura Wolvaardt, Flatter, dragged back and outside off, turns in a bit, Laura Wolvaardt stays back and slashes but is nowhere near the ball.
Sneh Rana to Laura Wolvaardt, Play and a miss! Pushed through quicker, full and around off, does not spin but skids through, Laura Wolvaardt tries to cut it away but misses.
Sneh Rana to Laura Wolvaardt, Short again and on off, Laura Wolvaardt punches it to extra covers.
Sneh Rana to Laura Wolvaardt, Turn right away! Floated, short and on off, turns in sharply, Laura Wolvaardt stays back and only manages to pat it down the pitch.
Time for some spin now as Sneh Rana comes into the attack.
- Laura Wolvaardt 12 (24)
- Marizanne Kapp 2 (6)
Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, Excellent effort in the deep! Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Laura Wolvaardt pulls it away hard and wide of deep square leg. Sree Charani quickly moves to her left and dives to stop the boundary. Just one. India Women have been much better on the field in this game.
Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, Short of a length and on middle, angling in sharply, Laura Wolvaardt keeps it out to the leg side.
Kranti Gaud to Marizanne Kapp, Hard length and on off, Marizanne Kapp runs it down to third man. Amanjot Kaur runs to her left and dives to make a fine stop. They cross.
Kranti Gaud to Marizanne Kapp, On a length and on off, Marizanne Kapp pushes it to short covers.
Kranti Gaud to Marizanne Kapp, Back of a length and on off, Marizanne Kapp blocks it out.
Is that a fair catch? Pratika Rawal is not so sure, and the on-field umpires have sent it upstairs. The smart replays are in play and the third umpire sees that it is not a catch.
Kranti Gaud to Marizanne Kapp, DROPPED! That could prove costly for India Women! Short of a length and outside off, Marizanne Kapp cuts it away but fails to keep it down. Pratika Rawal at point dives forward but cannot quite get her palms under it. It wobbles for a bit, but as she falls down, the ball also hits the ground.
- Laura Wolvaardt 11 (22)
- Marizanne Kapp 1 (2)
Amanjot Kaur to Laura Wolvaardt, Another full delivery, on middle, Laura Wolvaardt bunts it out to mid on.
Amanjot Kaur to Laura Wolvaardt, Overpitched and on off, Laura Wolvaardt drills it straight to mid off.
Amanjot Kaur to Marizanne Kapp, On a length and around leg, Marizanne Kapp clips it through square leg for a single.
Amanjot Kaur to Marizanne Kapp, WIDE! Fuller but down the leg side, Marizanne Kapp lets it go. Wided.
Amanjot Kaur to Marizanne Kapp, Pitched up and on off, Marizanne Kapp knocks it to mid off.
Marizanne Kapp comes out to the middle now.
Amanjot Kaur to Sune Luus, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! The two South African batters who scored runs in the last game are back in the hut now. Amanjot Kaur lands this back of a length and well outside off, Sune Luus stays put and goes chasing after it. A poor shot with no feet movement. Only manages to get a thin outside edge behind, where Richa Ghosh makes no mistake. Luus departs for 5 off 9, and South Africa Women are 19/2!
Amanjot Kaur to Sune Luus, FOUR! Good shot! A low full toss, on middle, angling in, Sune Luus brings her wrists into play and flicks it away with nice timing through mid-wicket for a boundary.
- Laura Wolvaardt 11 (20)
- Sune Luus 1 (7)
Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, Hits the length hard and on middle, angling in, Laura Wolvaardt keeps it out to the off side. South Africa Women are 14.1 after 5 overs!
Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Fine shot! Back of a length and just outside off, Laura Wolvaardt uses the width on offer and thrashes it through point for a boundary.
Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, Bangs in a sharp bouncer and around off, Laura Wolvaardt lets it go. Umpire signals one for the over.
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
