The India vs South Africa WC 2025 Highlights delivered pure drama and excitement from start to finish. What looked like India’s game turned into a remarkable South African comeback, led by the fearless Nadine de Klerk. Her sensational unbeaten 84 powered South Africa to a thrilling three-wicket victory, leaving fans and players stunned.
India Women’s Scorecard – 251 (10 wkts, 49.5 ov)
| Batting | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Pratika Rawal | 37 | 56 | 5 | 0 |
| Smriti Mandhana | 23 | 32 | 1 | 1 |
| Harleen Deol | 13 | 23 | 1 | 0 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur (c) | 9 | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Deepti Sharma | 4 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Amanjot Kaur | 13 | 44 | 1 | 0 |
| Richa Ghosh (wk) | 94 | 77 | 11 | 4 |
| Sneh Rana | 33 | 24 | 6 | 0 |
| Kranti Goud* | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Nallapureddy Charani | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling Figures
- Marizanne Kapp – 9 ov, 45 runs, 2 wkts
- Nadine de Klerk – 6.5 ov, 52 runs, 2 wkts
- Nonkululeko Mlaba – 10 ov, 46 runs, 2 wkts
- Tumi Sekhukhune – 7 ov, 29 runs, 1 wkt
- Chole Tryon – 10 ov, 32 runs, 3 wkts
India won the toss and chose to bat first, hoping to post a big total. However, the innings started on shaky ground. The top order collapsed quickly, and India found themselves struggling at 102 for 6 by the 26th over. Yet, Richa Ghosh refused to surrender. She launched a spectacular counterattack, smashing 94 runs off just 77 balls. Her innings included 11 crisp fours and 4 massive sixes, lifting India’s spirit and the crowd’s energy.
Along the way, Sneh Rana (33) and Pratika Rawal (37) added valuable support. Together, they helped India recover from early trouble and reach a competitive 251 all out in 49.5 overs. Despite the strong comeback, India knew they needed disciplined bowling to defend the score against a determined South African side.
South Africa Women’s Scorecard – 252 (7 wkts, 48.5 ov)
| Batting | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Laura Wolvaardt (c) | 70 | 111 | 8 | 0 |
| Tazmin Brits | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Sune Luus | 5 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Marizanne Kapp | 20 | 25 | 2 | 1 |
| Anneke Bosch | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Sinalo Jafta (wk) | 14 | 20 | 2 | 0 |
| Chole Tryon | 49 | 66 | 5 | 0 |
| Nadine de Klerk* | 84 | 54 | 8 | 5 |
| Ayabonga Khaka* | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling Figures
- Kranti Goud – 9 ov, 59 runs, 2 wkts
- Amanjot Kaur – 5.5 ov, 40 runs, 1 wkt
- Sneh Rana – 10 ov, 47 runs, 2 wkts
- Nallapureddy Charani – 10 ov, 37 runs, 1 wkt
- Deepti Sharma – 10 ov, 54 runs, 1 wkt
Chasing 252, South Africa started cautiously. The Indian bowlers kept things tight early on, removing both openers within the first ten overs. However, Laura Wolvaardt, known for her calm temperament, steadied the innings. She played a composed knock of 70 off 92 balls, anchoring the chase perfectly. Meanwhile, Chloe Tryon joined her and added a quickfire 49, pushing the scoring rate up.
Even so, India kept fighting. Regular wickets in the middle overs brought the pressure back on South Africa. Every over felt tense, with the match swinging from one side to the other. Just when India looked in control, Nadine de Klerk took charge. Coming in at a crucial stage, she batted with power, confidence, and clarity.
De Klerk changed the game completely. She smashed the Indian bowlers all around the park, scoring 84 not out off 54 deliveries, including 8 fours and 5 sixes. Her fearless stroke play stunned India’s bowlers and silenced the crowd. With every boundary, South Africa’s hope grew stronger. Eventually, she guided her team home with seven balls to spare, sealing a historic win for South Africa.
India’s bowlers tried hard but couldn’t contain de Klerk’s aggressive batting. Although Ghosh’s brilliant innings gave India a fighting chance, the lack of wickets at the death proved costly. The fielding lapses and inconsistent bowling in the final overs also contributed to their downfall.
Moreover, this loss marked India’s first defeat in the tournament, serving as a harsh reality check. They will need to regroup quickly and fix their middle-order issues before the next game. On the other hand, South Africa gained massive confidence from this win. Their determination, teamwork, and composure under pressure showed why they are strong contenders this year.
In conclusion, the India vs South Africa WC 2025 Highlights reminded fans why cricket is such an unpredictable and thrilling sport. Despite India’s brave fight, Nadine de Klerk’s match-winning knock will be remembered for years to come.
