In one of the most gripping encounters of the Women’s World Cup so far, South Africa defeated India by three wickets, thanks to a heroic unbeaten 84 off 54 balls from Nadine de Klerk. The thrilling contest in Guwahati saw fortunes swing both ways before the Proteas sealed victory with seven balls to spare, chasing down 252 — the fifth-highest successful chase in Women’s World Cup history.
De Klerk’s innings outshone Richa Ghosh’s valiant 94 — a knock that had earlier rescued India from a precarious position. The two No. 8 batters from either side produced match-defining performances, but it was De Klerk who held her nerve in the final overs to guide her team home and hand India their first defeat of the tournament.
India’s Roller-Coaster Innings
After being asked to bat first, India got off to a strong start, scoring 55 runs in the powerplay. Opener Pratika Rawal looked fluent, striking boundaries freely, while Smriti Mandhana—though struggling initially—became the highest run-getter in ODIs in a calendar year when she lofted Marizanne Kapp over the sightscreen for six.
However, once Nonkululeko Mlaba was introduced into the attack, the momentum shifted. She dismissed Mandhana, who mistimed a shot to long-on, and then bowled Harleen Deol with a beautiful delivery that spun past the bat. India’s scoring rate dropped sharply, managing only one boundary between overs 10 and 17.
Things worsened when Tumi Sekhukhune and Chloe Tryon joined the attack. Sekhukhune’s clever change of pace removed Rawal, who spooned an easy catch to midwicket, while Tryon trapped Jemimah Rodrigues lbw for her second duck of the tournament. India slumped to 102 for 6, and the Proteas seemed in complete control.
But Richa Ghosh had other ideas. The wicketkeeper-batter counterattacked with flair, first stitching a 51-run partnership with Amanjot Kaur, and then adding another 48 runs with Sneh Rana. Rana’s brisk 33 off 24 balls provided crucial momentum. Ghosh’s late assault saw India plunder 98 runs in the final 10 overs, propelling them to a competitive 251 all out.
South Africa’s Stumbling Start
Chasing 252, South Africa’s top order faltered early. Tazmin Brits registered the first duck of her ODI career, undone by a stunning reflex catch from Kranti Gaud, who reacted in just half a second to grab a sharp return chance. Sune Luus survived an early lbw review but nicked off soon after, and India nearly dismissed Marizanne Kapp when Rawal dropped a tough chance at point.
Kapp and Laura Wolvaardt steadied the innings with a 39-run stand before Sneh Rana produced a gem to bowl Kapp through the gate. Anneke Bosch’s poor form continued, as she chipped a return catch to Deepti Sharma, extending her lean patch to eight innings without crossing 20. When Sinola Jafta fell lbw to left-arm spinner Shree Charani, South Africa were tottering at 81 for 5.
Wolvaardt, however, remained calm, anchoring the innings with a patient 70 off 96 balls. She found an able partner in Chloe Tryon, and the pair added 61 runs to bring the chase back on track.
De Klerk’s Match-Winning Brilliance
Once Wolvaardt was bowled by Gaud for 70, the game tilted back towards India. South Africa still required 41 runs from 25 balls, and India’s bowlers were brimming with confidence. Tryon, struggling with a calf niggle, was dismissed lbw after a brief flourish, leaving De Klerk to do the heavy lifting.
Then came one of the finest finishing acts in women’s cricket. De Klerk exploded in the death overs, hammering 39 runs off just 15 balls. She smashed Rana for a six and a four, before launching an all-out assault on Kranti Gaud, hitting her for consecutive sixes — the first bringing up her fifty — followed by a fierce cut for four.
The Indian camp looked deflated, and to make matters worse, wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh needed treatment for a hamstring issue during the final overs. Despite the tension, De Klerk maintained her composure. With 23 required from 18 balls, she struck two more boundaries off Deepti Sharma and finished the game in emphatic style with back-to-back sixes over midwicket and long-on.
As De Klerk raised her bat to celebrate, Laura Wolvaardt, from the dugout, pumped her fist, while a small group of South African fans drowned out the home crowd with jubilant cheers.
Turning Point and Aftermath
The victory pushed South Africa to fourth place on the points table, level with England and India but behind on net run rate. For India, it was a wake-up call after a series of dominant performances earlier in the tournament. Their struggle against left-arm spin continued — with 11 dismissals to that bowling type in the competition so far — while the middle order’s inconsistency remains a concern.
For South Africa, this match will be remembered not just for the chase, but for Nadine de Klerk’s fearless display — a knock of power, precision, and poise under pressure. It was reminiscent of their famous chase of 275 against India in the 2022 World Cup, proving once again that this team knows how to fight till the last ball.
Final Score:
India: 251 (Richa Ghosh 94, Sneh Rana 33, Tryon 3-32, Kapp 2-45)
South Africa: 252/7 in 48.5 overs (De Klerk 84*, Wolvaardt 70, Rana 2-47)
