South Africa emerged triumphant against Indiaby three wickets in the 10th match of the Women’s World Cup 2025 played at ACA-VDCA International Stadium. Earlier, the toss favoured South Africa skipper Laura
Wolvaardt and she invited the hosts to bat first. India openers Smriti Mandhana and Pritika Rawal stitched a 55-run stand off 62 balls. In the 11th over, Nonkululeko Mlaba got Mandhana (23 off 32) caught at the hands of Sune Luus. Rawal fell against Tumi Sekhukhune after scoring 37 runs in 56 deliveries. India kept on losing wickets in regular intervals and they saw themselves under immense trouble.
With India reeling on 153/7 in 40 overs, wicket-keeper batter Richa Ghosh stepped up and built an 88-run stand with Sneh Rana for the eighth wicket off 53 balls. Rana departed after racking up a brisk 33 off 24 while Ghosh also scored 94 runs off 77 deliveries. His innings was studded with 15 boundaries (11 fours and four sixes). Riding on their batting efforts, India erected a total of 251 in 50 overs. Chloe Tyron registered 3/32 figures in her 10 overs and emerged as the most effective bowler. Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, and Nonkululeko Mlaba bagged two wickets apiece.
South Africa stood tall in the chase
Pursuing the target, South Africa lost their top-order batters Tazmin Brits (0 off three) and Sune Luus (five off nine) in the opening powerplay. Captain Laura Woolvardt got cleaned up against Kranti Goud after scoring 70 off 111. At the score of 81/5, South Africa needed a crucial stand to go close to the target.
Chloe Tyron and de Klerk stepped up in the crunch situation and built a 69-run stand off just 60 balls. Tyron lost her battle against Sneh Rana after hoarding 49 off 66. De Klerk stood in the middle until the end and took her team home with her 84* off 54. In the 48th over, South Africa completed the target. De Klerk’s all-round show made her the Player of the Match (POTM).
