Richa Ghosh’s Extraordinary Innings eclipsed by DeKlerk as South Africa Clinch a Last-Over Thriller vs India

 

It was an innings for the ages — yet one that ended in heartbreak. Bengal’s Richa Ghosh produced an astonishing knock of 94 runs off just 77 balls, rewriting multiple world records and almost single-handedly resurrecting India from the brink of collapse. But her heroics went in vain as India’s bowlers faltered in the closing stages, allowing South Africa to snatch victory by 3 wickets in a nerve-wracking contest.

The match began disastrously for India after put in to bat first. Pratika (37) & Mandhana (23) scored 55 in the powerplay but India middle order had a stunning collapse .  At one stage, the score read a miserable 102 for 6, with Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur all back in the pavilion. When all seemed lost, Richa Ghosh walked in at No. 8 and turned the tide with one of the most breathtaking innings ever witnessed in women’s World Cup history.

With India struggling at 153 for 7 after 40 overs, even reaching 220 seemed ambitious. Yet, what followed was a masterclass in counterattack. Richa, along with Sneh Rana (33 off 24), stitched a vital 88-run partnership for the ninth wicket, propelling India to a fighting total of 251. Richa’s explosive innings included 11 boundaries and 4 towering sixes, leaving the crowd in awe. Her fearless strokeplay and ability to find gaps under immense pressure defined true grit and character.

However, the target that Richa had so heroically set proved insufficient. India’s bowlers failed to capitalize despite having South Africa reeling at 85 for 5. From there, Chloé Tryon and Nadine de Klerk mounted a stunning counterattack, steering the Proteas back into contention. Just when it seemed India might pull off a late comeback — with Rana dismissing Tryon to inject fresh hope — de Klerk rose to the occasion magnificently.

In a display of audacious hitting and nerves of steel, de Klerk smashed an unbeaten 84 off 54 balls, guiding South Africa to victory with one over to spare. Her innings mirrored Richa’s in many ways — same position, same courage, same match-winning impact — but ultimately, it was de Klerk who had the last laugh.

Despite the defeat, Richa’s innings will forever find a place in cricketing folklore. To come in at No. 8, shepherd the tail, and score with such authority under pressure is nothing short of phenomenal. Her 94 now stands as the highest score by an Indian wicketkeeper-batter in Women’s World Cup history, surpassing Fauzia Khalili’s 88 (vs England, 1982) and Anju Jain’s unbeaten 84 (1993).

Former India pacer Jhulan Goswami, watching from the sidelines, summed it up perfectly:

“Richa is India’s X-factor in this World Cup. Whether India wins or not will largely depend on her form.”

Thursday’s match may have ended in disappointment, but it underscored one truth — Richa Ghosh has arrived as one of the most fearless and indispensable match-winners in Indian cricket. Yet, if India are to stay alive in the semifinal race, her teammates — both batters and bowlers — must rise alongside her brilliance.