A breathtaking unbeaten 84 from Nadine de Klerk propelled South Africa to a dramatic victory over India in the Women’s ODI World Cup, handing India their inaugural defeat of the tournament. India had set a challenging 251, thanks to a superb 94 from Richa Ghosh and an unbeaten 33 from Sneh Rana. However, de Klerk’s explosive performance in the death overs turned the tide in a memorable contest.
The match, which unfolded in Visakhapatnam, saw India in a seemingly unassailable position. South Africa, chasing 252, were struggling at 142/6, appearing set for a comfortable Indian win. India’s batting innings had also been inconsistent, with wickets tumbling before Richa Ghosh and Sneh Rana forged a vital alliance. Their partnership, a record in itself for India in ODIs, was instrumental in reaching a competitive 251. With effective bowling from Kranti Gaud and Sneh Rana, who each bagged two wickets, India looked well-placed to defend their total.
Laura Wolvaardt’s 70 provided the bedrock for South Africa’s chase, keeping their hopes alive. Chloe Tyron’s 49 offered crucial support. But the defining moment arrived with Nadine de Klerk. Demonstrating remarkable composure and power-hitting, she dismantled the Indian bowling attack with an astonishing unbeaten 84 off just 54 balls. Her aggressive play, characterized by numerous boundaries, sealed a memorable win for South Africa. Observations post-match indicated the pitch eased significantly towards the end, a factor that South Africa capitalized on, leading to India’s unexpected downfall after a strong start to the tournament.