Nadine de Klerk’s unbeaten 84 overshadowed Richa Ghosh’s fighting 94 as South Africa edged India by three wickets in a thrilling Women’s World Cup clash. Chasing 252, South Africa pulled off the fifth-highest successful chase in World Cup history and their eighth-highest in women’s ODIs, sealing victory with seven balls to spare.
Put in to bat, India began briskly, reaching 55 in the powerplay before South Africa struck back. India stumbled to 102 for 6, but Ghosh led a spirited recovery. She shared a 51-run stand with Amanjot Kaur and later added quick runs with Sneh Rana, whose 24-ball 33 helped India reach 251. Their final 10 overs yielded 98 runs, giving India a fighting total.
South Africa’s chase began poorly as they slumped to 81 for 5 by the 20th over. Captain Laura Wolvaardt steadied the innings with a patient 70, adding 61 runs with Chloe Tryon for the sixth wicket. When Tryon fell for 24 with 41 runs still needed, de Klerk took charge. She smashed 39 runs off her final 15 balls, including four sixes, guiding South Africa home in style.
Earlier, India’s top order faltered after a strong start. Smriti Mandhana became the leading run-getter in a calendar year in women’s ODIs before falling for 25. Nonkululeko Mlaba and Chloe Tryon dismantled India’s middle order, while Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk chipped in with two wickets each.
For South Africa, Wolvaardt’s composure and de Klerk’s finishing heroics proved decisive. De Klerk hit consecutive sixes off Kranti Gaud to reach her fifty and later sealed the win with two more maximums, stunning the home crowd. The victory lifted South Africa to fourth on the points table, level with England and India but behind on net run rate.
Despite Ghosh’s valiant 94, India’s bowlers couldn’t defend the total against a determined South African lower order. De Klerk’s brilliance under pressure ensured one of the most memorable chases in Women’s World Cup history.
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