De Klerk keeps her cool to lead South Africa to victory over India

Nadine de Klerk emerged as the hero as South Africa pulled off a stunning three-wicket win over India in ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025. The result gave South Africa their second consecutive victory while India suffered their first defeat of the tournament.

After South Africa won the toss and opted to field first, Richa Ghosh’s sublime 94 helped India post a respectable 251 after a middle-over collapse. While defending the target, India struck with regular wickets early on to hold control of the game but De Klerk kept South Africa in the hunt with a unbeaten 84 off 54 balls, an innings laced with eight fours and five sixes and her knock proved decisive after the Proteas had slipped to 142/6.

Alongside De Klerk, Laura Wolvaardt (70) and Chloe Tryon (49) made vital contributions to help South Africa pull off one of the finest chases in Women’s World Cup history. For India, Kranti Goud and Sneh Rana picked up two wickets each while Amanjot Kaur, Nallapureddy Charani and Deepti Sharma chipped in with one apiece.

However, De Klerk’s explosive batting ultimately halted India’s charge and sealed a memorable win for the Proteas.

India maintained control early on, striking at regular intervals to leave South Africa reeling at 81/5. However, Wolvaardt and Tryon steadied the innings with a 59-run partnership, easing the pressure and keeping their side in the contest.

What followed was the De Klerk show. Displaying remarkable composure and power hitting under pressure, she took charge of the chase. Even as the required run rate climbed, De Klerk found boundaries at crucial moments, denying India any momentum in the final overs.

Earlier, India’s bowlers kept South Africa under constant pressure. After Rana dismissed Marizanne Kapp, Deepti Sharma struck in the very next over with her first delivery, taking a sharp return catch to remove Anneke Bosch. Nallapureddy Charani then trapped Sinalo Jafta LBW, reducing South Africa to half their side down.

The hosts had also made a perfect start by striking twice early in the innings. Goud provided the first breakthrough, removing Tazmin Brits before Kaur added to the pressure with the wicket of Sune Luus.

In the first innings, Ghosh played a brilliant knock of 94 to help India post a respectable total of 251. Coming in at No 8, Ghosh lifted India past the 250 mark after they had slipped to 102/6 at one stage.

Rana provided valuable support with a crucial cameo, adding 88 runs alongside Ghosh to revive the innings before India lost quick wickets in the final overs to be bowled out.

Tryon (3/32) did most of the damage for South Africa, while De Klerk, Kapp and Nonkululeko Mlaba chipped in with two wickets each. Tumi Sekhukhune also contributed with a wicket, dismissing Pratika Rawal.

Ghosh, who fell just six runs short of a century, was dismissed in the final over after being caught at long on while attempting to hit a high full toss from De Klerk. Earlier, she had also shared a crucial partnership with Kaur, which was broken by Tryon during the last ball of her spell.

Their duo put together a 50-run stand, the first of the innings, to help India recover from an early collapse that saw them being reduced to 102/6 after they had been cruising at 83/1.

Sharma was caught behind off Kapp as India’s collapse deepened, having lost wickets in consecutive overs. Before Kapp claimed her first wicket of the evening, Tryon had added to the damage by dismissing Harmanpreet Kaur and sending half of India’s side back to the pavilion.

Earlier, Sekhukhune had caused trouble by removing Rawal. Tryon then struck in the very next over, sending Jemimah Rodrigues back for a duck.

Mlaba also provided South Africa with two crucial breakthroughs, dismissing India opener Smriti Mandhana and Harleen Deol. The left-arm spinner struck in her very first over, with Mandhana caught at long on. The India opener had departed after breaching past Belinda Clark's record tally for most Women's ODI runs in a calendar year (970).

India, with four points from three games, will look to bounce back when they take on Australia on Sunday in a high-octane clash. South Africa, who have the same points tally as India, will look to keep their winning streak going against Bangladesh, who they face on Monday.

Proteas Women Squad

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase and Chloé Tryon.

Travelling Reserve

Miané Smit

Management

Mandla Mashimbyi (Head Coach), Sedibu Mohlaba (Team Manager), Claire Terblanche (Assistant Coach), Baakier Abrahams (Batting Coach), Dillon du Preez (Bowling Coach), Bongani Ndaba (Fielding Coach), Zane Webster (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Abram Ramoadi (Performance Analyst), Neline Hoffman-Kellerman (Physiotherapist), Dr Tshegofatso Gaetsewe (Team Doctor), Happiness Mesi (Logistics and Massage Therapist), Lita Gqirana (Media Manager) and Zahid Shaik (Close Protection Officer).

Fixtures - ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

Friday @ 11.30am - South Africa v England (Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati) - England won by 10 wickets

Monday @ 11.30am - South Africa v New Zealand (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore) - SA won by six wickets

Thursday @ 11.30am - South Africa v India (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam) - SA won by three wickets

Monday @ 11.30am - South Africa v Bangladesh (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam)

Friday, 17 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v Sri Lanka (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

Tuesday, 21 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v Pakistan (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

Saturday, 25 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v Australia (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore)

Wednesday, 29 October @ 11.30am - Semi-final 1 (TBC)

Thursday, 30 October @ 11.30am - Semi-final 2 (Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai)

Sunday, 2 November @ 11.30am - Final (TBC)