Snehasis Mukherjee in Visakhapatnam
India’s unbeaten run in the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup came to an end as South Africa defeated them by three wickets in a nail-biting clash in Vizag. Nadine de Klerk’s unbeaten 84 off just 54 balls guided the Proteas Women to a stunning win while chasing 252.
Richa Ghosh’s thrilling 77-ball 94 looked to have taken India to a winning total, only for de Klerk’s late blitz to deflate the home crowd.
South Africa’s chase started on a dramatic note. In-form opener Tazmin Brits fell for a three-ball duck, thanks to a brilliant reflex catch by Kranti Gaud off her own bowling. Amanjot Kaur struck soon after, removing Sune Luus for just five. India were in complete control at that stage.
Skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp then tried to steady the innings, adding 39 for the third wicket. But once again, Kapp fell to a spinner — this time Sneh Rana — marking the third straight time she has been dismissed by spin in this tournament.
India’s spinners and fielders kept the pressure on. Anneke Bosch and Sinalo Jafta fell cheaply, and South Africa were reduced to 81/5 in 19.4 overs. Wolvaardt was fighting hard but lacked support at the other end.
Then came an interesting move — the Proteas management sent in Chloe Tryon ahead of de Klerk. The decision worked as Tryon and Wolvaardt added 61 valuable runs. Wolvaardt, who looked in fine touch, was eventually undone by a pinpoint Goud yorker for 70.
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India looked to tighten their grip again, with the bowlers maintaining tight lines and not giving much room to hit. Despite three dropped catches — one each by Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, and Jemimah Rodrigues — India’s fielding energy was commendable.
With 110 runs still needed from 14.1 overs, de Klerk finally arrived at the crease. From there, she completely changed the game. Alongside Tryon, she rotated the strike smartly and found boundaries at crucial moments. The pair added 69 runs before Tryon fell for 49.
India still had a sniff, but de Klerk was in no mood to let go. She targeted Gaud, smashing two sixes and a four in quick succession to swing the momentum back. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s gesture — walking up to Kranti to console and encourage her — showed true leadership in the heat of the moment.
Nadine continued her fireworks, finishing the chase in style by hammering Amanjot Kaur for two more sixes. Her sensational knock sealed the victory for South Africa and handed India a first defeat of the tournament.
Earlier, India had posted 251 after another shaky performance from their top order. Openers Smriti (23) and Pratika (37) provided a steady 55-run start, but wickets fell in a heap thereafter. From 91/2, India slipped to 102/6.
Amanjot (13) and Richa then started the recovery with a 51-run stand. Later, Richa and Sneh Rana’s 88-run partnership gave India a fighting total. Richa’s blistering knock and Sneh’s quickfire 33 off 24 helped India reach 251. It looked like it might be enough until Tryon and de Klerk had the last words.
