By narenchoudhary6747@gmail.com 
Visakhapatnam, October 9, 2025 — In an electrifying encounter at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Stadium, South Africa Women defeated India Women by three wickets, thanks to a stunning unbeaten innings by Nadine de Klerk, who scored 84 off 54 balls* to seal one of the most dramatic victories in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
The game had everything — early wickets, a brave counterattack, and a breathtaking finish. While India looked in control for most parts, South Africa’s lower order resilience changed the story, proving why cricket is truly a game of glorious uncertainties.
India, after being asked to bat first, had a shaky start. The South African bowlers, led by Ayabonga Khaka and Marizanne Kapp, used the new ball superbly under the slightly overcast conditions in Visakhapatnam.
Smriti Mandhana, usually India’s reliable opener, was dismissed early for just 12, edging one behind to Sinalo Jafta. Shafali Verma tried to counterattack but fell to a sharp short ball from Kapp, caught at deep square leg for 22.
By the 15th over, India were reeling at 56/4, with Jemimah Rodrigues (18) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (9) both falling cheaply. The top order’s struggle against disciplined bowling put enormous pressure on the middle and lower order.
Just when India seemed down and out, Richa Ghosh walked in with fierce determination. Known for her fearless batting, the young wicketkeeper-batter began cautiously, rotating the strike and assessing the conditions.
Once she settled, Richa unleashed her power-hitting. She targeted the spinners, especially Nonkululeko Mlaba, with calculated aggression — lofting cleanly over mid-wicket and extra cover. Her ability to find boundaries at crucial moments helped India regain momentum.
She found an able partner in Amanjot Kaur, and together they added a crucial 51-run stand for the 7th wicket. Their partnership steadied India’s innings and frustrated South Africa’s bowlers, who had dominated the early exchanges.
After Amanjot’s dismissal for 26, Richa continued her attack, building another 88-run partnership with Sneh Rana, which turned the tide completely. Richa reached her half-century in just 45 balls and went on to score a brilliant 94 off 77 deliveries, including 11 fours and 3 sixes.
Richa Ghosh’s innings wasn’t just match-saving — it was record-breaking. She became the highest run-scorer batting at number eight or lower in a Women’s World Cup match.
Her fearless approach lifted India from a dangerous 102/6 to a competitive total of 251 all out in 49.4 overs. Though she missed her century by six runs, her innings was the highlight of the Indian batting performance and drew applause from both sides.
Chasing 252, South Africa’s innings began steadily but soon stumbled. Laura Wolvaardt (17) was the first to go, trapped LBW by Renuka Singh in the 8th over. Tazmin Brits, who looked promising with her timing, fell for 24 after being caught at cover by Mandhana.
By the 20th over, South Africa were 84/4, with both Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp dismissed cheaply. India’s bowlers, led by Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana, kept things tight in the middle overs. At this stage, the required run rate had climbed above 6.5 per over, and the game looked firmly in India’s control.
Enter Nadine de Klerk. The all-rounder has been known for her fighting spirit, but what unfolded next was one of the best innings ever seen in a Women’s World Cup chase.
When de Klerk came to the crease, South Africa still needed over 120 runs with just four wickets in hand. Instead of buckling under pressure, she counterattacked brilliantly, picking gaps and punishing anything loose.
Her shot selection was immaculate — strong off the back foot, confident against spin, and fearless against pace. She reached her fifty in just 35 balls, and from there, shifted gears completely.
A key factor in the chase was her 65-run partnership with Chloe Tryon for the 7th wicket. Tryon played the perfect supporting role, rotating strike and finding the occasional boundary.
Their partnership reduced the pressure on South Africa, and slowly, the equation came down to a manageable level. Tryon eventually fell for 28, caught behind off Pooja Vastrakar, but by then, de Klerk had taken full control of the match.
With 30 runs needed off the final 18 balls, the tension in the stadium was palpable. India looked hopeful when Deepti Sharma bowled a tight 48th over, conceding just five runs. But in the 49th over, Nadine de Klerk smashed back-to-back boundaries off Renuka Singh, turning the match decisively in South Africa’s favor.
In the final over, needing six runs, de Klerk finished the game with a spectacular loft over long-on for four, followed by a quick two to seal the victory with three balls to spare.
South Africa ended on 253/7 in 49.3 overs, winning by three wickets. De Klerk remained unbeaten on 84 off 54 balls, with 10 fours and 2 sixes — a heroic performance that will be remembered for years.
Speaking after the match, Nadine de Klerk said,
“It was all about staying calm and backing myself. The pitch was good, and once I got my eye in, I just played my natural game. Credit to our team for believing till the end.”
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised Richa Ghosh’s performance but admitted the team fell short in defending the total.
“Richa played a phenomenal innings. We were in a good position, but Nadine’s innings changed the game. We’ll learn from this and come back stronger.”
- Richa Ghosh – 94 (77)
- Amanjot Kaur – 26 (45)
- Sneh Rana – 33 (39)
- Renuka Singh – 2/38
- Deepti Sharma – 1/41
- Nadine de Klerk – 84* (54)
- Chloe Tryon – 28 (33)
- Laura Wolvaardt – 17 (21)
- Ayabonga Khaka – 3/47
- Marizanne Kapp – 2/52
| Team | Score | Result |
| India Women | 251 (49.4 overs) | Richa Ghosh 94, Khaka 3/47 |
| South Africa Women | 253/7 (49.3 overs) | de Klerk 84*, SA won by 3 wickets |
- Richa Ghosh’s rise continues – Her adaptability and power-hitting under pressure show she’s becoming India’s most dependable finisher.
- South Africa’s depth shines – Even after top-order failures, their lower middle order showcased strength and composure.
- India’s bowling under pressure – While the spinners performed well initially, India couldn’t contain the lower-order counterattack.
- Nadine de Klerk’s all-round excellence – A career-defining performance that reaffirms her status as one of the best emerging talents in women’s cricket.
The India vs South Africa clash in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 will be remembered as one of the most thrilling encounters of the tournament so far. It had drama, emotion, and moments of brilliance from both sides.
While Richa Ghosh’s fighting 94 gave India hope, Nadine de Klerk’s fearless 84 under pressure* sealed a memorable win for South Africa.
As the World Cup progresses, both teams will look to refine their strategies — India aiming to convert good starts into wins, and South Africa continuing their impressive form with momentum on their side.
Cricket fans witnessed a classic — a reminder that in women’s cricket, the competition and passion are at their very peak.