- South Africa won against India by three wickets in a Women's World Cup match
- Richa Ghosh made a commendable 94 runs for India
- For South Africa, key performances were from Laura Wolvaardt (70), Chloe Tryon (49), and Nadine de Klerk (84 not out, 54 balls)
On Thursday in the Women's World Cup, South Africa achieved a three-wicket victory over India despite Richa Ghosh contributing 94 runs in a valiant effort.
The changes in momentum came courtesy of captain Laura Wolvaardt (70), Chloe Tryon (49), and Nadine de Klerk (84 not out, off just 54 balls) as South Africa chased down India's total of 251, finishing the innings at 252 for seven in 48.5 overs to rise to fourth in the table.
The South African chase started off on weak footings, with a return of half of their team for fewer than 100 on the board. The early dismissals included opener Tazmin Brits, who was out for a duck following a spectacular return catch taken by Kranti Gaud, after which the batting lineup collapsed and veteran players Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Anneke Bosch, and Sinalo Jafta departed in quick succession.
After the sixth wicket partnership of 51 runs between Wolvaardt and Tryon, South Africa found themselves in a precarious position at 81 for five. Wolvaardt scored her fifty in 81 balls, before being bowled by Gaud at 142 for six; still 110 runs short of the target.
Tryon and de Klerk built 69 runs for the seventh wicket and kept South Africa in the game. With five overs left, South Africa needed 52 runs, which they made with some sensible batting and aggressive batting from de Klerk.
Richa herself, however, was the mainstay of India's innings, playing the occasional dominant stroke en route to 94 from 77 balls that included 11 fours and four sixes. Having taken on the responsibility at 102 for six, she added 51 runs for the seventh wicket with Amanjot Kaur.
While Amanjot was out, Richa added 88 for the eighth wicket with Sneh Rana (33), demonstrating a high degree of control and judgment in playing shots.
After having been dropped twice on 76 and 84, Ghosh was out in the last over attempting to get quick runs, just short of a maiden ODI hundred.
India's batting received a promising start with opening batswoman Pratika Rawal (37) and Smriti Mandhana (23) setting 55 for the second wicket, but a collapse of the top order meant they were able to lose five top-order wickets for just 19 runs as they succumbed to strong bowling performances from Noku Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka, and Chloe Tryon.
At the end of the day, South Africa's resurgence and late partnerships were significant, in addition to the inability of India's top order to convert starts into big scores, which earned South Africa victory in the match.
