WATCH: Smriti Mandhana expresses rage after Nadine de Klerk’s six breaks India’s heart against South Africa | Women’s World Cup 2025

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The much-anticipated Women’s World Cup 2025 clash between India and South Africa at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam ended in a stunning defeat for the hosts, as South Africa secured a nail-biting three-wicket victory in the penultimate over. The dramatic conclusion meant that Smriti Mandhana’s historic achievement of breaking the world record for most ODI runs in a calendar year was immediately overshadowed by the crushing loss.

The match came down to the 49th over, with South Africa needing a challenging six runs for the win from 8 balls. Bowler Amanjot Kaur, tasked with bowling the crucial penultimate over, was under immense pressure. However, the composure of Nadine de Klerk proved superior in the clutch moment. De Klerk delivered the finishing stroke by smashing a six over the leg side off Kaur, securing the win for the Proteas and triggering immediate celebrations in the South African camp.

The contrast in emotions was stark. While the Proteas celebrated a crucial two points, the Indian dressing room was engulfed in disappointment. Cameras focused on Mandhana, who was visibly furious and frustrated on the boundary line after De Klerk’s winning hit. Her animated disappointment reflected the collective despair of the team, who had fought hard to post a competitive total, largely thanks to Richa Ghosh’s earlier exploits. The loss highlights lingering concerns over India’s execution in high-pressure death overs.

🏏💥 SOUTH AFRICA WIN! 💥

Amanjot Kaur to de Klerk — SIX!Nadine de Klerk, you absolute legend! 🙌

Finishes it in style and takes South Africa home by 3 wickets in a nail-biting finish!

Clutch. Composed. Champion. 🇿🇦🔥#NadineDeKlerk #SAWvsINDW #INDvsSA #ICCWomensWorldCup2025

— Asia Voice 🎤 (@Asianewss) October 9, 2025

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While Mandhana etched her name into the history books by shattering Belinda Clark’s 28-year-old world record for the most ODI runs in a calendar year, her individual form within the current ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 has been surprisingly subdued. The record itself is a testament to the immense, prolific run-scoring she has achieved over the last year, establishing her dominance globally. However, the expectations for a player of her caliber in a major tournament remain unmet in these initial stages.

Mandhana began the World Cup with low scores, falling cheaply for just 8 runs in the opener against Sri Lanka and only managing 23 in the subsequent high-stakes clash against rivals Pakistan. Her most recent contribution against South Africa, a score of 22, was again modest and failed to provide the necessary foundation for the Indian innings. Despite crossing the pivotal record mark in the South Africa match, the Indian vice-captain is yet to contribute a match-defining score. This string of quiet performances is a major concern for the team’s fortunes moving forward in the tournament and necessitates a strong resurgence soon.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.