Ghosh pulls India back from the brink
After reaching 83-1 batting first, India lost five wickets for 19 runs in the following eight overs to leave them reeling at 102-6. The loss of Amanjot Kaur at the 40-over mark also hindered their progress towards a defendable total, but Richa Ghosh took charge from there on out. She powered two sixes in her seven boundaries for her first 50, which came off 53 balls, before putting her foot on the accelerator even more.
She hit three consecutive boundaries off Ayabonga Khaka, and targeted Nadine de Klerk to break into the 90s. However, attempting to whack a full toss down to long on, Ghosh was caught on the boundary, and despite a no ball check, she had to go back to the dugout. India were eventually bowled out for 251.
Read more: Why all-female World Cup umpiring panel isn't the gender equality win it looks like
De Klerk brilliance powers South Africa over the line
In response, South Africa lost wickets early on, with century-maker from their last game, Tazmin Brits, out for a duck. Sune Luus was caught and bowled by Kranti Gaud for 5, before Anneke Bosch and Marizanne Kapp fell in consecutive overs. Laura Wolvaardt lead the way from the top with 70 off 111 balls, but she was bowled by Gaud with South Africa still needing 110.
However, Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk flipped the script, the former falling one short of a half-century and the latter powering to 84* to keep South Africa in the game. Tryon was pinned lbw by Sneh Rana in the 46th over, with South Africa still needing 41. From there, De Klerk put on a display of high-class game management and power-hitting. She hit Gaud for three consecutive boundaries in the 47th over to bring the required run rate down to near a-run-a-ball.
With 12 needed and nine balls remaining, De Klerk hit two sixes in three balls off Amanjot Kaur to seal a momentous victory for South Africa. South Africa have now climbed to No.4 in the table, just below India, in a remarkable comeback from their first-game loss to England. India have registered their first loss of the tournament, and sit in third behind England, who have a game in hand.
Women's World Cup 2025: Updated points table after AUS v PAK
| Teams | Mat | Won | Lost | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | +1.960 |
| England | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +1.757 |
| India | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0.959 |
| South Africa | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -0.888 |
| Bangladesh | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.573 |
| Sri Lanka | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1.255 |
| New Zealand | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | -1.463 |
| Pakistan | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | -1.887 |
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.