Hey cricket fans! If you’re glued to the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW showdown, you know this wasn’t just a match—it was pure drama. Imagine India posting 251, thanks to Richa Ghosh’s fiery 94, only for South Africa’s Nadine de Klerk to unleash an unbeaten 84 off 54 balls and snatch victory with seven balls left. What a heart-stopper at Visakhapatnam’s ACA-VDCA Stadium on October 9, 2025!
This ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW clash marked India’s first loss, handing South Africa their third straight World Cup win over the hosts. As a die-hard follower on IPL Star, I felt the pulse racing—did de Klerk just pull off the heist of the tournament? Stick around as we dive deep into this epic. We’ll break down every over, celebrate the heroes, crunch the stats, and chat reactions. What’s your take on this upset? Drop it in the comments below!
Match Overview: A Rollercoaster Ride in Visakhapatnam
The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW game kicked off under lights at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Capacity crowd of 28,000 buzzed with excitement as South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and chose to bowl first—smart move on a pitch that promised turn and grip later.
India, the hosts riding high after two wins, aimed to dominate. But South Africa’s bowlers, led by Chloe Tryon’s spin wizardry, triggered a collapse. Enter Richa Ghosh, the 22-year-old powerhouse, who smashed her way to 94 and dragged India to 251 all out in 49.5 overs. Chasing 252, South Africa wobbled at 81/5, but Wolvaardt’s steady 70 and de Klerk’s fireworks flipped the script. They crossed the line at 252/7 in 48.5 overs—a chase ranking fifth-highest in Women’s World Cup history.
Umpires Jacqueline Williams and Kim Cotton kept things tight amid three DRS reviews. Broadcast on Star Sports and JioHotstar in India, this match drew massive views. Rain delayed the toss by an hour, adding to the tension. South Africa now boasts a 3-0 World Cup edge over India (2017, 2022, 2025). For India, it’s a wake-up call before facing mighty Australia on October 12.
Why does this ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW thriller matter? It showcases women’s cricket’s grit—collapses, comebacks, and clutch knocks. As fans, we’ve seen India’s top order falter again, but Ghosh’s fire lit up hopes. South Africa’s depth shone through. Ready for the ball-by-ball? Let’s unpack India’s innings first.
Quick Score Summary Table
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| India Women | 251/10 | 49.5 | All Out |
| South Africa Women | 252/7 | 48.5 | Won by 3 Wickets (Target: 252) |
Full Highlights on ESPNcricinfo
India’s Batting Innings: Solid Start, Shocking Collapse, Ghosh’s Rescue Act
India’s story started bright in this ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW encounter. Openers Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana attacked from ball one. Rawal cracked five fours in her 37 off 56, including two in Marizanne Kapp’s first over. Mandhana, ever the elegant left-hander, lofted Ayabonga Khaka for six—her shot that broke Belinda Clark’s record for most ODI runs in a calendar year (now over 970).
Powerplay? A dream 55/0 in 10 overs. The Vizag pitch, with its even bounce early on, favored strokeplay. Fans cheered as India hit 50 in 9.1 overs. But cricket’s cruel—Nonkululeko Mlaba’s left-arm spin struck in the 11th over. Mandhana toe-ended to long-on for 23 off 32. Harleen Deol joined Rawal, adding 28, but Mlaba cleaned her up for 13 in the 17th over. Score: 83/2.
Then came the slide. Tumi Sekhukhune’s slower ball foxed Rawal, leading edge caught at midwicket—91/3. Jemimah Rodrigues swept Chloe Tryon and missed, lbw for a duck (her second in three games). Tryon’s left-arm spin has haunted India—11 dismissals to it this tournament alone. Harmanpreet Kaur, captain under pressure, labored to 9 off 24 before top-edging Tryon to point. Deepti Sharma followed, caught behind off Kapp—102/6 by 26th over. Ouch!
Enter Richa Ghosh at No. 8. With Amanjot Kaur, she rebuilt patiently. Their 51-run stand in 14 overs soaked up spin from Mlaba and Tryon. Ghosh curbed her instincts, sweeping selectively. Amanjot fell for 13 off 44, caught at mid-off—153/7. But Ghosh exploded. She clubbed Nadine de Klerk’s slower ball for six, then hammered Mlaba for two fours in the 43rd.
Crossing 50 off 53 balls, Ghosh reverse-swept, lofted Kapp over cover—19 off Khaka’s over! Dropped twice (on 40 and 70), she rode luck to an 88-run blitz with Sneh Rana (33 off 24, six fours). India added 98 in the last 10 overs, folding at 251 when de Klerk got Ghosh caught at long-on off a full toss. Extras? A whopping 25 wides—no-balls hurt South Africa.
Was this collapse top-order nerves or Proteas’ smarts? India’s middle order struggled against spin on a turning track. Yet Ghosh’s knock—highest ever at No. 8 in ODI World Cups (men/women)—saved face. Simple lesson: Build platforms, folks!
India Women Batting Scorecard Table
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pratika Rawal | 37 | 56 | 5 | 0 | 66.07 |
| Smriti Mandhana | 23 | 32 | 1 | 1 | 71.88 |
| Harleen Deol | 13 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 56.52 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur (c) | 9 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 37.50 |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Deepti Sharma | 4 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 28.57 |
| Amanjot Kaur | 13 | 44 | 1 | 0 | 29.55 |
| Richa Ghosh (wk) | 94 | 77 | 11 | 4 | 122.08 |
| Sneh Rana | 33 | 24 | 6 | 0 | 137.50 |
| Kranti Gaud | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Shree Charani | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | 25 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 251/10 | 49.5 | – | – | 5.04 RR |
Fall of Wickets: 55-1 (Mandhana, 10.2 ov), 83-2 (Deol, 16.6 ov), 91-3 (Rawal, 19.4 ov), 92-4 (Rodrigues, 20.4 ov), 100-5 (Kaur, 24.2 ov), 102-6 (Sharma, 25.6 ov), 153-7 (A Kaur, 39.6 ov), 241-8 (Rana, 48.5 ov), 251-9 (Ghosh, 49.4 ov), 251-10 (Charani, 49.5 ov).
South Africa’s Thrilling Chase: From 81/5 Doom to De Klerk’s Dazzling Finish
Chasing in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW? South Africa started shaky. Opener Tazmin Brits’ first-ball duck—caught brilliantly by Kranti Gaud off her own bowling—set the tone. Sune Luus edged Amanjot Kaur to Ghosh for 5. At 18/2 after 5 overs, pressure mounted.
Marizanne Kapp and Wolvaardt steadied with 39, but Sneh Rana’s armer bowled Kapp for 20. Anneke Bosch popped a return catch to Deepti—58/4. Shree Charani’s left-arm spin trapped Sinalo Jafta lbw for 14—81/5 by 20th over. India smelled blood; the required rate crept up on a slowing pitch.
Enter Chloe Tryon, battling a calf niggle (strapped heavily). With Wolvaardt, they grinded a vital 61-run stand over 97 balls. Wolvaardt, stoic at 70 off 111 (eight fours), reached 50 off 81. Tryon rotated, easing pressure on spin from Deepti (1-54) and Rana (2-47). But Gaud’s yorker clattered Wolvaardt’s stumps—142/6 in 36th over.
Now, de Klerk joined Tryon for a momentum-shifting 69. They ticked overs, eyes on the back end. Needing 81 off 60, Tryon fell lbw to Rana for 49 off 66—211/7 in 45th. 41 off 25 balls? Daunting. But de Klerk, cool as ice, unleashed.
The 46th over: Six and four off Rana. Tryon’s gone, but de Klerk farms strike. 47th: Hat-trick of sixes off Gaud (18 runs)! Her fifty came in 40 balls. With Ayabonga Khaka (1* off 3), she added 41 off 18. Two more sixes off Deepti—over deep midwicket and long-on—sealed it. Final ball: Six over long-on off Amanjot. Crowd stunned; Proteas erupted.
De Klerk’s 84* (eight fours, five sixes, SR 155.56) was poetry—calculated risks, field manipulation. South Africa’s depth till No. 8 won it. India’s bowlers toiled, but couldn’t contain the blitz. Epic chase? Absolutely. How did de Klerk stay so calm? Genius under lights!
South Africa Women Batting Scorecard Table
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Wolvaardt (c) | 70 | 111 | 8 | 0 | 63.06 |
| Tazmin Brits | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Sune Luus | 5 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 55.56 |
| Marizanne Kapp | 20 | 25 | 2 | 1 | 80.00 |
| Anneke Bosch | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Sinalo Jafta (wk) | 14 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 70.00 |
| Chloe Tryon | 49 | 66 | 5 | 0 | 74.24 |
| Nadine de Klerk | 84* | 54 | 8 | 5 | 155.56 |
| Ayabonga Khaka | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Extras | 8 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 252/7 | 48.5 | – | – | 5.16 RR |
Did Not Bat: Tumi Sekhukhune, Nonkululeko Mlaba. Fall of Wickets: 6-1 (Brits, 2.2 ov), 18-2 (Luus, 5.2 ov), 57-3 (Kapp, 13.4 ov), 58-4 (Bosch, 14.1 ov), 81-5 (Jafta, 19.4 ov), 142-6 (Wolvaardt, 35.5 ov), 211-7 (Tryon, 45.5 ov).
Watch De Klerk’s Winning Six on YouTube
Standout Players: Battle of the No. 8 Powerhouses – Ghosh vs De Klerk
In this ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW saga, two No. 8 warriors stole the show: Richa Ghosh and Nadine de Klerk. Their knocks? Game-defining.
Start with Ghosh. At 102/6, she walked in like a storm. Blending defense (early blocks) with attack (four sixes, 11 fours), her 94 off 77 (SR 122.08) rescued India. Partnerships: 51 with Amanjot, 88 with Rana. Dropped twice, she capitalized—highest score at No. 8+ in WODIs and ODI World Cups combined. Post-match, Harmanpreet praised: “Richa turns games; her big sixes got us to 250.” At 22, she’s India’s finisher-in-chief.
De Klerk? The villain/hero. At 81/5, her 84* off 54 was a masterclass. Five sixes (including hat-trick off Gaud) and eight fours showed power and placement. POTM, she said: “Love pressure; we took it deep.” Despite Tryon’s niggle, de Klerk farmed 39 off her last 15 balls. Second-highest at No. 8 in WODIs.
Others shone too. Wolvaardt’s 70 anchored; Tryon’s 49 & 3-32 was all-round gold. For India, Rana’s 2-47 and Gaud’s 2-59 (that stunner catch) impressed. But the duel? Ghosh built; de Klerk demolished. Who edges it? Tough call—both redefined lower-order bravery.
Key Player Stats Comparison Table
| Player | Team | Runs | Balls | SR | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richa Ghosh | IND | 94 | 77 | 122.08 | – | – |
| Nadine de Klerk | RSA | 84* | 54 | 155.56 | 2 | 7.60 |
| Laura Wolvaardt | RSA | 70 | 111 | 63.06 | – | – |
| Chloe Tryon | RSA | 49 | 66 | 74.24 | 3 | 3.20 |
| Sneh Rana | IND | 33 | 24 | 137.50 | 2 | 4.70 |
These stars delivered “unforgettable” moments! Share your MVP pick below.
Records Shattered: Stats That Define This ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW Thriller
Cricket loves numbers, and this ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW game broke plenty. South Africa’s 252/7 chase? Fifth-highest in World Cups, eighth in WODIs. Most runs after 5th wicket in a successful chase: 171—new ODI record.
Ghosh’s 94? Tops No. 8+ scores in WODIs (beats her own 74 vs SL in 2023) and ODI World Cups (edges Nathan Coulter-Nile’s 92* from men’s 2019). De Klerk’s 84* slots second. Mandhana’s six? Pushed her past Clark for yearly ODI runs.
India’s spin woes: 11 left-arm dismissals this tournament. Head-to-head: India leads ODIs 20-12-1, but SA owns World Cups 3-0. Powerplays? India’s 55/0 vs SA’s 34/2.
Did you know? This was SA’s first win over India after five ODI losses. Ghosh’s late surge: 98 runs in last 10 overs. De Klerk’s sixes: Most in a WC chase by a No. 8.
These stats aren’t just digits—they tell a tale of resilience. Fans on X raved: “De Klerk’s blitz = pure magic!” Which record blew your mind?
Major Records Broken Table
| Record Category | Achievement | Player/Team | Previous Holder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Chase in WC (Women) | 252/7 (5th overall) | South Africa | AUS 278 vs NZ (2022) |
| Runs After 5th Wkt in Chase (ODI) | 171 | South Africa | ENG 159 vs IND (2019) |
| Highest at No. 8+ in WODIs | 94 | Richa Ghosh (IND) | De Klerk 84* (this) |
| Highest at No. 8 in ODI WC | 94 (Men/Women combined) | Richa Ghosh (IND) | Coulter-Nile 92* (2019) |
| Most ODI Runs in a Year (Women) | 970+ | Smriti Mandhana | Belinda Clark (1997) |
Post-Match Reactions: Joy, Heartbreak, and Honest Words
The dressing rooms told two stories after this ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW nail-biter. South Africa danced—de Klerk, lost for words, beamed: “We dug deep; love World Cups against India at home. Chloe eased pressure; we’re capable of big chases.” Wolvaardt fist-pumped, crediting the lower order: “From 69 all out vs ENG to this—massive boost!”
India? Gutted. Harmanpreet Kaur, eyes steely: “Tough pill. We collapsed but hit 250—credit Chloe and de Klerk. Top order must step up; same mistakes repeating. Positives? Richa’s beauty. Long tourney; we’ll learn.” Ghosh shrugged off the near-miss: “Felt good; wished for 100, but team first.”
Social media exploded. X (formerly Twitter) lit up with #INDvSAWC25 trending. Fans tweeted: “De Klerk > Kohli in chases? 😂” One viral post: “Last time IND lost to SA in WC, they won the Cup—history repeats?” BBC called it “tension overflow”; Hindustan Times dubbed de Klerk’s “heist.”
Media buzz? Times of India hailed SA’s “rabbit out of hat.” NDTV noted Ghosh’s world record but lamented extras (25 wides!). Experts like Sanjay Manjrekar: “India’s spin defense leaked; SA’s finishers won.”
These voices capture the raw emotion. Heartbreak for hosts, elation for Proteas. What’s the biggest takeaway for you? Sound off!
Tactical Breakdown: What Worked, What Didn’t in ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW
Tactics decided this ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW thriller. South Africa’s toss call? Spot-on. Bowling first exploited evening dew minimally, while spin (Tryon 3-32, Mlaba 2-46) choked the middle. Kapp’s 2-45 early swing set traps; Sekhukhune’s cutters (1-29) varied pace. Wolvaardt’s fields—leg slips for spin—forced errors. In chase, absorbing spin (Deepti, Rana) before de Klerk’s death-over assault was genius. Tryon’s niggle? They rotated smartly.
India? Powerplay attack worked (55/0), but spin plans faltered. Too many wides (24!); bowlers overpitched late. Harmanpreet’s part-time spin (0-15) was tidy, but Gaud’s seam (2-59) lacked support. Fielding? Drops cost Ghosh 30+ runs. Top order’s caution post-Mandhana? Costly—scoring dipped below 5 RPO.
Pitch note: Early seam, later grip—spinners ruled. SA’s depth (batting to 9) vs India’s reliance on 7-8. Lessons? India fixes collapses; SA builds on momentum. Experts agree: “SA’s back-end firepower key.”
Pros for SA:
- Spin choke: 6 wickets middle overs.
- De Klerk’s gear-shift: From 7 RPO to 12+.
- Reviews: Luus survived early lbw.
Cons for IND:
- Extras galore: 25 = a batter!
- Top-order spin allergy.
- Death bowling leaks: 60 off last 6.
Deep dive: Compared to 2022 WC chase (275 vs IND), SA’s composure echoed. For India, echoes of Sri Lanka game—124/6 rescued by Ghosh. Bounce back? Against AUS, tighten fields, vary lengths. This tactical chess? Masterful from Wolvaardt.
Tactical Insights from ICC Experts
Tournament Shake-Up: Points Table and Path Ahead After ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW
This ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW stunner reshuffled the table. India drops to third (4 points, NRR +0.959), level with England and SA but NRR-hit. Australia leads unbeaten (5 pts, +1.960). SA jumps to fourth (-0.888 NRR), confidence soaring after thrashing NZ.
Full table post-match:
Updated Points Table
| Pos | Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia Women | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | +1.960 | W A W |
| 2 | England Women | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | +1.757 | W W |
| 3 | India Women | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | +0.959 | W W L |
| 4 | South Africa Women | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -0.888 | L W W |
| 5 | Bangladesh Women | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +0.573 | W L |
| 6 | Sri Lanka Women | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1.255 | L A |
| 7 | New Zealand Women | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -1.485 | L L |
| 8 | Pakistan Women | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | -1.887 | L L L |
India’s next: vs AUS (Oct 12, Visakhapatnam—sold out!). SA vs BAN (Oct 14). Semi spots? Top 4 battle tightens. India must win big vs AUS/ENG; SA eyes consistency.
Implications? For hosts, pressure mounts—first loss stings, but history says rebounds win Cups (like post-SA loss in 2022). SA? From 69 all out opener to chasers extraordinaire. NRR crucial; expect fireworks. Predict semis? AUS, ENG locks; IND/SA fight. Your call?
Final Thoughts: Why This ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW Will Echo Forever
What a ride! The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW delivered tension, talent, and twists. From Ghosh’s record rescue to de Klerk’s daring dash, it was women’s cricket at its raw best. India learns from slips; SA surges with belief. As the Cup rolls to NZ vs BAN tomorrow, remember: One loss doesn’t define—comebacks do.
On IPL Star, we’re all in on this journey. Loved the drama? Hit like, share with mates, subscribe for daily updates. Next: IND vs AUS preview—can they roar back? Comment your bold prediction!
Frequently Asked Questions About ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW
- Who won the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW match? South Africa Women clinched a thrilling 3-wicket victory over India Women, chasing 252 in 48.5 overs at Visakhapatnam on October 9, 2025. Nadine de Klerk’s unbeaten 84* sealed the upset.
- What was Richa Ghosh’s score in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW match? Richa Ghosh smashed a record-breaking 94 off 77 balls (11 fours, 4 sixes), the highest score at No. 8 in Women’s ODIs and ODI World Cups, rescuing India from 102/6 to 251.
- How did Nadine de Klerk perform in the INDW vs RSAW chase in 2025? Nadine de Klerk’s heroic 84* off 54 balls (8 fours, 5 sixes) powered South Africa’s comeback from 81/5. Her back-to-back sixes off Kranti Gaud earned her Player of the Match honors.
- Where was the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW match played? The match took place at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, India, with a capacity crowd of 28,000 witnessing the thriller.
- What were the key highlights of the India vs South Africa Women match recap? India collapsed to 102/6 before Ghosh’s 94 lifted them to 251. South Africa, reeling at 81/5, rode Laura Wolvaardt’s 70 and de Klerk’s blitz to chase 252, marking the fifth-highest chase in Women’s World Cup history.
- Which records were broken in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW game? South Africa’s 171 runs after the 5th wicket set a new ODI chase record. Ghosh’s 94 and de Klerk’s 84* are the top two scores at No. 8+ in WODIs. Smriti Mandhana surpassed Belinda Clark for most ODI runs in a year.
- What went wrong for India in the INDW vs RSAW Women’s World Cup match? India’s top order crumbled against left-arm spin (11 dismissals in the tournament), with Harmanpreet Kaur (9) and Jemimah Rodrigues (0) failing. Extras (25 wides) and late bowling leaks cost them dearly.
- Who were the standout performers in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW? Richa Ghosh (94) and Nadine de Klerk (84*) led the charge, with Chloe Tryon (49 & 3-32) and Laura Wolvaardt (70) shining. Sneh Rana’s 2-47 and 33 runs were notable for India.
- What’s next for India after the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 INDW vs RSAW loss? India faces Australia on October 12, 2025, in Visakhapatnam—a must-win to boost their semi-final chances after slipping to third (4 points, NRR +0.959) in the points table.
- How did South Africa pull off the chase in the INDW vs RSAW Women’s World Cup thriller? From 81/5, South Africa rebuilt via a 61-run stand between Wolvaardt and Tryon. De Klerk’s aggressive 84*, including 39 runs off her last 15 balls, turned a steep 41 off 25 into a 7-ball-to-spare victory.