South Africa triumphed over India by three wickets in a gripping Women’s World Cup match on Thursday. Stellar performances from Laura Wolvaardt and Nadine de Klerk were crucial, despite India’s Richa Ghosh shining with a remarkable 94 runs.
Wolvaardt, who captains South Africa, scored 70 runs, while Chloe Tryon contributed 49. De Klerk’s impressive unbeaten 84 runs off 54 balls helped South Africa chase down India’s total of 251, reaching 252 runs for seven wickets in just 48.5 overs. This victory propelled South Africa to fourth place on the points table.
The match took a tense turn when South Africa lost half their team, finding themselves at 81 for 5 after Indian bowler Kranti Gaud dismissed opener Tazmin Brits for a duck. Experienced players like Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Anneke Bosch, and Sinalo Jafta succumbed quickly to the Indian bowling attack.
However, Wolvaardt and Tryon steadied the ship with a solid 51-run partnership. Wolvaardt reached her fifty in 81 balls, but Gaud’s precise yorker ended their partnership, leaving South Africa at 142 for 6 still needing 110 runs.
Tryon and De Klerk then launched a fierce counterattack, with De Klerk hitting Gaud for two consecutive sixes. Their 69-run partnership brought South Africa closer to their target. With 52 runs required in the last five overs, De Klerk’s smart and powerful batting led South Africa to victory at a brisk pace, scoring nearly 10 runs per over.
For India, Richa Ghosh’s outstanding innings saw her score 94 off 77 balls, featuring 11 fours and four sixes. Coming in at a challenging time with India struggling at 102 for 6, Ghosh helped stabilize the innings, initially adding 51 runs with Amanjot Kaur. She achieved her fifty in 53 balls, hitting two sixes that kept the scoreboard moving.
After Kaur was dismissed, Ghosh partnered with Sneh Rana, who scored 33. Together, they amassed 88 runs in just 53 balls. Ghosh, feeling empowered by Rana’s composed batting, struck 44 runs in the final 24 balls. She nearly secured her first ODI hundred but fell in the final over while attempting to accelerate the scoring.
India’s innings started positively with openers Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana contributing 55 runs in 10.2 overs. However, after Mandhana’s dismissal by spinner Noku Mlaba, the team’s momentum faltered. The Indian batting order collapsed spectacularly, losing five wickets for a mere 19 runs as the South African bowlers maintained pressure with tight lines and effective spin.
Mistakes plagued India as they sought quick runs. Players fell to good deliveries and impatient shots, exemplified when captain Harmanpreet Kaur edged to Kapp and other key batsmen faced early exits. Ultimately, India found themselves reeling at 102 for 6.
Original Source: https://www.india.com/sports/icc-womens-world-cup-2025-de-klerk-wolvaardt-shine-as-south-africa-beat-india-by-three-wickets-8124395/
Category: Sports,Chloe Tryon,ICC Women’s World Cup 2025,Laura Wolvaardt,Nadine de Klerk,Richa ghosh
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Publish Date: 2025-10-10 00:02:00
