In a thrilling encounter at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on October 9, 2025, South Africa defeated India by three wickets, successfully chasing a challenging target of 252. Nadine de Klerk’s explosive, unbeaten 84 off 54 balls outshone India’s Richa Ghosh’s 94, handing the hosts their first defeat of the tournament.

India at 102/6: Richa Ghosh’s Explosive RescueIndia, put in to bat, crumbled to 102/6, struggling against South Africa’s bowlers. Enter Richa Ghosh at No. 8, who turned the tide with a sensational 94 off 77 balls, smashing 11 fours and 6 sixes. Her entertaining knock, supported by openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal’s solid start, revived India’s innings. Ghosh forged key partnerships with Amanjot Kaur and Sneh Rana, guiding India to a respectable 251 all out in 49.5 overs.Also Read: Head-On Collision Between Private Bus and Lorry: 3 Dead on the Spot

India Innings Scorecard Highlights:
Richa Ghosh-94 (77). Sneh Rana-35 (32). Smriti Mandhana- 32 (28)

Total

251 all out (49.5 ov)

South Africa's Chase: From the Brink to BrillianceNeeding 252 – the fifth-highest chase in Women's World Cup history – South Africa lost early momentum, slumping to 81/5 and later 142/6 as India's bowlers fought back. Kranti Gaud (2/38) and Sneh Rana (2/47) were the standouts, with Amanjot Kaur, Sree Charani, and Deepti Sharma chipping in. Captain Laura Wolvaardt's steady 70 off 85 balls provided the anchor, but the real drama unfolded lower down. De Klerk, promoted up the order, joined forces with Chloe Tryon for a match-turning 69-run stand off 57 balls. Tryon fell for 49, but de Klerk unleashed havoc: eight fours and five sixes, including a match-winning maximum off Deepti Sharma in the 49th over. Her aggressive strokeplay – pulling short balls with disdain and lofting spinners over midwicket – turned the tide, sealing the win with seven balls to spare. This was South Africa's eighth-highest successful ODI chase ever.Levi's Men's Slim Fit Mid Rise 511 Mid-Rise Jeans

South Africa Innings Scorecard Highlights:

Nadine de Klerk

84* (54)

Laura Wolvaardt-70 (85). hloe Tryon- 49 (48)

Total

252/7 (48.5 ov)

The Battle of No. 8s: De Klerk Edges Ghosh:

The headline-grabbing duel was between the unlikely heroes at No. 8. Ghosh's gritty rescue on a tricky pitch set a defendable total, but de Klerk's fearless assault – under immense pressure – proved decisive. As Wolvaardt noted post-match, "I've never seen anything like that in my career.

" De Klerk, earning Player of the Match, summed it up: "I love being under pressure and I love World Cups."India captain Harmanpreet Kaur rued the collapse but praised the fightback: "We put 250 on the board despite the wobble, but Chloe and de Klerk showed what the pitch could do." This thriller – the tournament's first true nail-biter – boosts South Africa's semi-final hopes while denting India's unbeaten streak.

South Africa now sit third on the points table with two wins from three, while India drop to second after their first loss. Next up for the Proteas: a clash with Australia.