Nadine de Klerk’s unbeaten 84 powers South Africa past India in Visakhapatnam thriller; Richa Ghosh’s record-breaking knock at No.8 lights up the night in vain.
By SarhindTimes Sports Desk
Visakhapatnam, October 2025
A Classic Under Lights — and a Reality Check
Visakhapatnam witnessed a pulsating contest that swung wildly between brilliance and heartbreak as South Africa edged India by three wickets in one of the most compelling encounters of the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025.
India’s unbeaten run came to an abrupt halt under the floodlights as Nadine de Klerk’s spectacular 84 not out off 54 balls orchestrated a chase that seemed improbable after Richa Ghosh’s extraordinary 94 off 77 deliveries had lifted India to a competitive 251 all out.
In a match that embodied everything modern women’s cricket promises—power, nerve, and precision—the fine margins of fielding and composure decided the outcome.
Richa’s Knock of Grit and Audacity
Coming in at No.8, Richa Ghosh walked out with India reeling at 146 for 7 after a top-order collapse that saw Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur depart cheaply.
What followed was a masterclass in controlled aggression and calculated counterattack.
With minimal support from the tail, Richa unleashed a flurry of boundaries—pulls, lofted drives, and reverse sweeps—that not only revived India’s innings but etched her name in record books:
the highest-ever score by a batter at No.8 or lower in women’s ODIs.
Her 94 from 77 balls included 10 fours and 3 sixes, a performance that drew standing ovations even from neutral fans at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium.
“Richa batted with clarity and courage,” said India’s head coach Amol Muzumdar.
“She read the game beautifully, knew when to attack, and showed why she’s among the best finishers in the women’s game today.”
India’s Innings: Promise and Panic
Earlier, India’s decision to bat first looked sound when Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia provided a steady start, pushing the score to 71 in the 15th over. But the middle overs brought chaos:
- Smriti Mandhana (22) mistimed a loft to long-on.
- Harmanpreet Kaur (14) fell to a slower ball, attempting an uncharacteristic sweep.
- Jemimah Rodrigues (19) was run out after a mix-up that drew gasps from the dugout.
By the 32nd over, India were tottering at 146/7, facing the prospect of an under-200 total.
That’s when Richa, batting with Pooja Vastrakar (18), began her counterpunch. The pair stitched a valuable 53-run stand before Richa went into overdrive in the final ten overs.
From 200/8 in the 46th over, she added 51 runs almost single-handedly, guiding India to a defendable 251.
South Africa’s Chase: De Klerk’s Defiance
In reply, South Africa’s top order started confidently. Laura Wolvaardt (41) and Tazmin Brits (35) laid a stable foundation before India’s spinners wrested back control.
Deepti Sharma struck twice in quick succession, and Radha Yadav’s left-arm spin tightened the grip as South Africa stumbled to 172/6 in the 38th over.
At that point, India’s bowlers looked poised to seal victory — until Nadine de Klerk took the script into her own hands.
De Klerk, known for her aggressive batting down the order, unleashed a furious counterattack. Her 84 not out off 54 deliveries, embellished with 9 fours and 4 sixes, was both fearless and smart.
Crucially, she found an able ally in Masabata Klaas (27 off 22). Together, they added a match-turning 79-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
“We just kept telling ourselves to take it deep,” De Klerk said after the match.
“The wicket was good for hitting once the ball got older. India bowled well, but we believed one big over could swing it.”
That big over came in the 47th — when De Klerk smashed three boundaries off Vastrakar, bringing the equation down to 19 from 18.
Two overs later, she sealed victory with a lofted six over long-on — an audacious shot that silenced the home crowd but symbolized the evolution of women’s cricket.
Fielding Woes and Dropped Chances
While the defeat cannot be pinned on one moment, India’s fielding errors proved costly.
Two dropped catches — one of De Klerk on 39 and another of Klaas on 17 — haunted the side.
A misfield on the boundary in the 46th over turned a single into four, shifting momentum decisively.
“We’ll have to reflect on those lapses,” admitted skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.
“In tight games, small moments make big differences. We fought hard but gave them second chances.”
The coach echoed her sentiment, calling for renewed emphasis on under-lights fielding drills, especially given dew and lighting challenges in coastal venues like Vizag.
The Tactical Battle: Spinners vs Pacers
The match also showcased the strategic depth both sides now command.
India’s use of spin through Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, and Shreyanka Patil slowed South Africa’s scoring in the middle overs. However, the bowlers failed to adapt at the death, where pace off the ball became predictable.
Conversely, South Africa’s seamers—Ayabonga Khaka and Marizanne Kapp—combined control with aggression, ensuring India never settled even after the powerplay.
“We wanted to test India’s middle order with disciplined lengths,”
said South Africa’s stand-in captain Sune Luus.
“Credit to Richa, she punished every loose ball. But we stuck to our plan and waited for our moment.”
Richa’s Knock in Context: Breaking Barriers
Beyond the numbers, Richa Ghosh’s innings represents a symbolic breakthrough for women’s cricket in India.
Historically, lower-order batters in the women’s game have been expected to merely survive. Richa’s 94 shattered that template, proving that finishing roles can be match-defining.
It also reflects the growing depth and power-hitting capability within the Indian lineup — once considered a limitation compared to Australia or England.
“She’s redefining what a finisher means in women’s cricket,”
said commentator Anjum Chopra on the broadcast.
“To play like that under pressure shows India’s new mindset — fearless and ambitious.”
India’s Path Ahead: Regroup and Refocus
Despite the loss, India remain in strong contention for the semifinals, with two league games remaining against New Zealand and West Indies.
They currently hold the second position on the points table with a healthy net run rate of +0.98.
Team management now faces two key priorities:
- Fielding and Fitness: Address lapses that have cost runs in consecutive matches.
- Rotation Management: Balance workload for bowlers with back-to-back fixtures ahead.
Harmanpreet Kaur emphasized resilience.
“One loss doesn’t define us. The tournament’s long, and we’ll come back stronger. The belief in the dressing room is intact.”
Fan Reaction: Pride and Frustration
Social media exploded after the match with a mix of pride and heartbreak.
Richa’s innings was celebrated as “a masterclass in courage”, while fans lamented the missed chances that let South Africa escape.
#RichaGhosh trended overnight, with thousands calling her the “Powerhouse of Indian Cricket.”
Meanwhile, memes flooded timelines highlighting India’s “curse of the dropped catch.”
Former India men’s cricketer Virender Sehwag posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“What an innings by Richa! Playing like Dhoni at No.8. Keep the chin up — every setback is a setup for a comeback.”
The Broader Impact: Women’s Cricket Comes of Age
Beyond the scoreline, the Vizag clash signified how far the women’s game has come.
High-scoring thrillers, television prime-time slots, and crowd involvement—these are now the norm, not the exception.
Broadcasters reported record viewership for the India–SA encounter, rivaling some men’s ODI fixtures.
“This is not niche cricket anymore,” said Mithali Raj in post-match analysis.
“The athleticism, strategy, and entertainment value are top-tier. Richa and Nadine showed what modern women’s cricket truly looks like.”
Statistical Highlights
- India 251 in 49.3 overs (Richa Ghosh 94, Yastika Bhatia 38, Kapp 3/46)
- South Africa 252/7 in 49.1 overs (Nadine de Klerk 84*, Wolvaardt 41, Deepti 2/44)
- Player of the Match: Nadine de Klerk (SA)
- Highest score at No.8 or below in women’s ODIs: Richa Ghosh – 94 (IND)
- Total sixes in match: 10 – highest in the tournament so far
Commentary Box Reactions
Commentators hailed the match as a showcase for global women’s cricket.
“This was a tactical, emotional, and technical rollercoaster,” said Isa Guha.
“If anyone still doubted the entertainment quotient of women’s cricket, this game should end that conversation.”
Editorial View: Lessons in Pressure and Poise
India’s defeat is less a setback and more a reminder of the fine margins that define elite sport.
Fielding and temperament—long considered the team’s Achilles’ heel—must evolve in sync with batting firepower.
At the same time, Richa’s innings symbolizes India’s changing cricket DNA: bold, adaptable, and unafraid to take risks.
In sport, greatness often emerges from heartbreaks. If India lift the cup weeks from now, this night in Vizag will be remembered as the defining spark of their resurgence.
Conclusion: One Night, Two Heroes
As players shook hands under the floodlights, two young women stood at the center of world cricket’s future—Richa Ghosh and Nadine de Klerk.
Both under 25. Both fearless. Both redefining what women’s cricket means to millions.
For India, defeat stings. But for the sport, the night was a victory—proof that women’s cricket has arrived not just in headlines but in hearts.
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