Women’s World Cup 2025: Richa Ghosh’s Fighting Half-Century Keeps India Afloat Against South Africa in Vizag

Visakhapatnam:
In a tense Women’s World Cup 2025 encounter between India and South Africa, young wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh stood tall amid a top-order collapse, scoring a gritty half-century to keep India in contention at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium in Vizag on Thursday.

Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Richa’s determined 50 off 53 deliveries ensured India crossed the 200-run mark, steering the innings back on track after a string of early dismissals left the side reeling.

🏏 Richa Ghosh Resists Collapse

The 21-year-old’s composed innings came at a crucial time as India’s middle order faltered under pressure. Sneh Rana provided valuable support, forming a much-needed partnership that stabilized the innings. Their stand not only revived India’s scoring but also gave the team a fighting chance heading into the final overs.

Richa’s innings was marked by maturity and shot selection — she mixed aggression with composure, rotating strike effectively while dispatching loose deliveries to the boundary. It was her first fifty of this World Cup and the seventh of her ODI career.

💥 India’s Top Order Falters Again

Earlier, India’s innings began promisingly after South Africa opted to field first following a delayed toss due to a damp outfield. Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal provided a solid start, notching up a 50-run opening stand — their 13th fifty-plus partnership in ODIs.

Mandhana, however, fell for 23 after being deceived by spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba, while Rawal looked fluent before being trapped LBW by Marizanne Kapp on a no-ball delivery — a rare reprieve that she converted into a boundary on the free hit.

Once Mandhana and Harleen Deol departed, the innings unraveled quickly. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma fell in quick succession, leaving India at six wickets down for under 150.

Richa Ghosh and Amanjot Kaur then stitched together a 51-run partnership, rebuilding the innings before Tryon’s breakthrough ended the stand.

🌧️ Weather and Match Conditions

The match began after multiple rain delays and inspections, with the toss eventually taking place at 3:30 PM IST. The ground staff worked tirelessly to prepare the pitch, ensuring a full 50-over contest despite the earlier drizzle and overcast conditions.

The Vizag pitch, known for offering early movement and later assisting spinners, tested both teams’ batting depth. While India’s innings struggled for fluency, Richa’s counterattacking knock provided much-needed momentum before the final overs.

🇮🇳 India’s Playing XI

Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Kranti Goud, Shree Charani

🇿🇦 South Africa’s Playing XI

Laura Wolvaardt (C), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Tumi Sekhukhune, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

🏆 Key Highlights

• Richa Ghosh’s 50 (53 balls) keeps India in contention.
• India crossed 200 runs despite early wickets.
• Mandhana and Rawal’s 50-run stand gave India a solid start.
• South Africa’s bowlers, led by Mlaba and Tryon, dominated the middle overs.
• Rain delays briefly threatened the start, but full play resumed.