Indian opener Smriti Mandhana etched her name in cricket history on Thursday by breaking a long-standing world record during India’s third match of the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup against South Africa at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

Mandhana, who made 23 runs off 32 balls, surpassed Belinda Clark’s 28-year-old record for the most runs scored in a calendar year in Women’s ODIs. Clark had set the record back in 1997, scoring 970 runs in 14 innings. Mandhana’s tally now stands at 982 runs in 17 innings, averaging an impressive 57.76.

Despite the milestone, Mandhana’s innings on the day didn’t quite go as she would’ve hoped. She began solidly, forming a 55-run opening partnership with youngster Pratika Rawal after South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl. However, once the pair departed, India’s middle order faltered under tight South African bowling, losing key wickets in the middle overs.

The 29-year-old left-hander’s remarkable consistency over the past two years has firmly established her as one of the greatest modern-day batters in the format. In 2025 alone, Mandhana has four centuries and three half-centuries, with a highest score of 135. Interestingly, her tally of four centuries this year is the joint-second most in a calendar year, only behind South Africa’s Tazmin Britz, who has five centuries in 2025. Mandhana had also scored four centuries in 2024, which was the record before Britz surpassed it this season.

ALSO SEE: ICC Women's World Cup 2025: When 90s hit harder than 100s: Dhoni, Rahul & Richa’s unforgettable world cup knocks

Mandhana’s Record-Breaking Feat Highlights a Remarkable Year Despite World Cup Struggles

In her illustrious ODI career so far, Mandhana has accumulated 4,942 runs in 111 matches at an average of over 46, including 13 centuries, the most by any opener and the joint-second most by any player in women’s ODIs. She is now the fifth-highest run-scorer in the history of the format.

However, while her year-long consistency has been extraordinary, Mandhana’s form in the ongoing World Cup has been below her usual standards. She has struggled to convert starts into big scores, and her early dismissals have put additional pressure on the likes of Rawal and Harleen Deol. The slow starts have affected India’s scoring rate in the powerplay, allowing opponents to claw back into matches, as South Africa managed to do in Visakhapatnam, dismissing the top order cheaply after the 10-over mark.

Even so, breaking a record that stood unchallenged for nearly three decades is no small feat. With at least five matches left in India’s World Cup campaign, Mandhana now stands on the brink of becoming the first woman ever to cross 1,000 ODI runs in a single calendar year, a milestone that would further cement her legacy as one of the greatest batters of her generation.

Most Runs in a Calendar Year in Women’s ODIs

In Match 10 of the ICC Women’s  World Cup 2025, South Africa Women defeated India Women by three wickets with seven balls to spare at the Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Thursday, October 9. This victory allowed the Proteas to take their unbeaten record against India in the Women's World Cup to 3-0. It was also their second straight victory in this year’s tournament, while India suffered their first loss at home.

After winning the toss and deciding to bat first, India started off well, having scored 55 runs within the first 10 overs. Smriti Mandhana (23) and Pratika Rawal (37) were looking good initially, but after the loss of the first wicket, the middle order fell apart in a hurry. Chloe Tryon and Nonkululeko Mlaba were key wicket-takers to break India's momentum. Richa Ghosh batted fantastically to score 94 runs from 77 balls, scoring 11 fours and four sixes to guide India to 251. Tryon was South Africa's best bowler with figures of 3 for 32, while Mlaba, Nadine de Klerk, and Tumi Sekhukhune also made valuable contributions with the wickets.

In pursuit of 252, South Africa started slowly and lost a couple of early wickets. But captain Laura Wolvaardt (70) calmed the innings through her measured batting. She established key partnerships with Chloe Tryon (49) and Nadine de Klerk, who played a brilliant innings to guide South Africa to victory. De Klerk’s unbeaten 84 off just 54 balls, filled with powerful shots, helped South Africa cross the line with a huge six in the final over. Despite losing, India remained on top of South Africa in the points table because of a superior net run rate. Below are the main reasons for the India Women defeat:

1. Lack of strong partnerships

India's batters could not build big partnerships after a good start. The middle order collapsed in quick succession and the team were floundering at 102 for 6. Although Richa Ghosh and Sneh Rana added a partnership of 88 runs, by this point the earlier wickets did mean that India could not post a bigger total that would challenge South Africa.

See Also: Women's World Cup 2025 Match 11: NZ-W vs BAN-W head-to-head, stadium stats, predicted playing XIs & points table

2. Nadine de Klerk's stunning innings

Nadine de Klerk's fiery knock of 84* off 54 balls turned the game around. Her strength and composure throughout, particularly under pressure, enabled South Africa to amass the target with relative ease. Even though Indian bowlers were taking wickets at regular intervals, de Klerk’s composure and confidence took control of the match in the end.

3. Dropped catch that proved crucial

A catch dropped by Smriti Mandhana cost India dearly. She failed to take a crucial opportunity to get Chloe Tryon out, who went on to score 49 runs. It gave South Africa the opportunity to recover and pick up momentum, which ultimately contributed significantly towards their winning run-chase.

It was an exciting match in Visakhapatnam as South Africa Women beat India Women by three wickets in Match 10 of theICC Women's World Cup 2025 on October 9. India won the toss and decided to bat first. They scored a total of 251 runs, with Richa Ghosh playing a wonderful innings of 94 runs. But the middle order failed to capitalize on the beginning as Smriti Mandhana (23), Harmanpreet Kaur (9), and Jemimah Rodrigues (0) fell cheaply. Amanjot Kaur (13) and Sneh Rana (33) assisted India in scoring a fighting total. For South Africa, Chloe Tryon was the top bowler with three wickets, while Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, and Nonkululeko Mlaba picked up two each.

While chasing 252, South Africa had a tough start, but captain Laura Wolvaardt steadied the innings with a fine 70-run knock. Chloe Tryon added 49 runs before Nadine de Klerk played an outstanding match-winning innings. Her outstanding score of 84, from a mere 54 balls, saw South Africa over the line with a huge six in the last over. Sneh Rana and Kranti Gaud, each taking two wickets, did their best with the ball, but de Klerk's impressive hitting took South Africa to a thrilling win.

IND-W vs SA-W: Who Said What?

Nadine de Klerk (Player of the Match):

"I’m lost for words. Playing India at home is always tough, and to get us across the line feels great. When Chloe and I batted together, we talked about taking it deep and backing ourselves at the end. My power-hitting comes naturally; that’s my role, to finish games. It was a good wicket, and once I got in, I knew I could do it. We’ll take the confidence from this win and come back stronger against Bangladesh."

See Also: Women's World Cup 2025 Match 11: NZ-W vs BAN-W head-to-head, stadium stats, predicted playing XIs & points table

Harmanpreet Kaur (India Women Captain):

"Tough game. Both teams played really well. We collapsed while batting but still managed 251 on the board. Richa was outstanding once again, she always gives us hope. Our top order needs to take more responsibility and bat longer. We’ve been making the same mistakes in the last few matches, and we need to fix that before facing Australia. It’s a long tournament, and we’ll look to bounce back stronger."

Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa Women Captain):

"That was incredible. I don't think I’ve seen something like that in my career. I’m still lost for words. Nadine was just special, she has been hitting like that in the nets, but the temperament she showed with the tail was amazing. Richa batted really well for India; we tried to go wide to her, but she played those brilliantly. Credit to our pace bowlers too, they did well to keep India around 250."

Once again, Kranti Gaud shone with the ball in hand, as he put India Women back on track in the crucial league stage fixture in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 against South Africa Women at Vizaq on Thursday (October 9) night. 

After South Africa Women chose to field first in the delayed start, India Women scored 251 all out. Struggling on 102/6, two back-to-back 50+ partnerships and Richa Ghosh's brilliant 94 off 77 balls helped India Women manage the challenging total. 

South Africa Women lost first five wickets for 81 runs

In reply, South Africa Women were once struggling at 81/5, as the hosts India Women strongly took the game. However, the Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt calmly handled the situation, while Chloe Tryon provided great support. After an initial struggle to score runs, they set up the 61-run partnership for the sixth wicket, as the situation was moving towards the challenging for the hosts. 

[WATCH] IND-W vs SA-W, ICC Women's World Cup 2025: Kranti Gaud takes outstanding one-handed catch on own bowling

Kranti Gaud proved her captain right, bowled Laura Wolvaardt for 70 runs

After some tight spin overs with wicketless figures, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur went for a change to bring back Kranti Gaud in the 36th over. In her first four balls of that new spell, Gaud conceded only two runs, as the required run rate was moving up to pressurize the South African team. On the fifth ball, Wolvaardt moved back for a room, but Gaud delivered a brilliant yorker that the Proteas opener and skipper missed, and it hit the stump, as she was bowled for 70 off 111 balls with eight fours. South Africa Women were then struggling at 142/6 in 35.5 overs as they needed 110 more runs from 85 balls. 

IS THERE ANYTHING KRANTI GAUD CANNOT DO?! 😍

South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt departs on 70. Is that the game for them? 👀

Catch the LIVE action ➡ https://t.co/qUAtuPmsC2#CWC25 👉 #INDvSA | LIVE NOW on Star Sports & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/gK6REOEjLB

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 9, 2025

While South Africa Women started to challenge the target against the hosts India Women in the important league stage game of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, Sneh Rana produced a very important wicket for the home team by dismissing dangerous-looking Marizanne Kapp. 

South Africa Women sent the hosts India Women to bat first in the delayed start, where India Women scored 251 all out, as they shifted the game from 102/6, thanks to two late 50+ partnerships, including Richa Ghosh's another inspiring knock of 94 runs off just 77 balls with 11 fours and four sixes. 

Marizanne Kapp was dropped for 1 run

Chasing down the target, South Africa Women were two wickets down to just 18 runs. The Indian team dropped one chance of experienced and dangerous batter Marizanne Kapp, who was just 1 run when Pratika Rawal dropped her at backward point. After that luck, Kapp was becoming dangerous as Proteas suddenly raised the run-rate to pressurize the Indian bowlers. 

However, the off-spinner Sneh Rana was really good and tight with the ball, as even the dangerous Kapp was also struggling. However, the tension for the hosts was rising with the growing partnership between the opener Laura Wolvarrdt and Kapp, which made the run rate a little rushed already. 

[WATCH] IND-W vs SA-W, ICC Women's World Cup 2025: Kranti Gaud takes outstanding one-handed catch on own bowling

Sneh Rana brilliantly bowled Marizanne Kapp

Then the disciplined Sneh Rana came to bowl the 14th over of the innings. It was her fourth over, starting her disciplined bowling from the powerplay, and she conceded only eight runs in her first three overs. While Wolvarrdt and Kapp already set a 39-run partnership for the third wicket, as South Africa Women just crossed the 50-run mark, Rana delivered three dots on her first three balls in her fourth over of the innings. Underpressure Kapp, who scored 20 runs off 24 balls with two fours and one six, decided to step down, and Rana learnt it early as she delivered the challenging fuller ball that drifted away, which Kapp missed, and it hit the wickets. Now, South Africa Women scoreboard looked as 57/3.   

India Women (IND W) will play against South Africa Women (SA W) in Match No. 10 of the ICC Women's World Cup 202 on Thursday, October 9, at 3:00 PM IST at the ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. The hosts have got off to a fantastic start to their campaign with two wins, sitting comfortably in the top half of the points table. Harmanpreet Kaur's Indian team would like to continue this thrilling run and solidify its potential to qualify for the semi-finals.

South Africa began their tournament with a heavy 10-wicket loss to England but bounced back with a win over New Zealand in Indore. The Laura Wolvaardt-captained side will attempt to carry that confidence forward and turn over the in-form Indian team. Historically, India has the edge over South Africa in ODIs, winning four of five head-to-head encounters, but anything can happen in the World Cup.

IND-W vs SA-W: Head-to-Head Record (ODIs)

India holds a clear edge over South Africa in their overall head-to-head record.

• Matches: 33
• Won by IND-W: 20
• Won by SA-W: 12
• No Result: 1

IND-W vs SA-W: Stadium Stats (ODIs)

The ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium, in Visakhapatnam, has good batting conditions with better success for teams chasing historically.

• Total Matches: 15
• Matches won batting first: 3
• Matches won bowling first: 10
• Average 1st Innings Score: 233
• Average 2nd Innings Score: 205
• Highest Total: 387/5 (50 overs) by IND vs WI
• Lowest Total: 76/10 (39.3 overs) by SL-W vs IND-W
• Highest Successful Chase: 292/5 (48.5 overs) by IND vs AUS
• Lowest Total Defended: 229/5 (50 overs) by IND-W vs SL-W

See Also: Top 3 reasons why Pakistan-W lost to Australia-W in the Women's World Cup 2025 match 9

IND-W vs SA-W: Predicted Playing XIs

India Women (IND-W): Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur

South Africa Women (SA-W): Laura Wolvaardt (C), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta (WK), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

Women’s World Cup 2025: Points Table

After the completion of nine matches, the updated points table is as follows:

India Women’s cricket team delivered an outstanding performance and secured a significant win against South Africa on July 9, leveling their 3 match T20I series at 1-1. After losing heavily to Laura Wolvaardt’s team in the first match and having the second game washed out, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team played with great determination at the MA Chidambaram Stadium and defeated South Africa by 10 wickets.

Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Shafali Verma had been getting a lot of attention for their success in the recent Test series and the first T20I match. However, it was the bowlers who made sure India won on Tuesday. Harmanpreet chose to bowl first after winning the toss, and this decision paid off as they restricted South Africa to just 84 runs.

South Africa’s collapse after early wickets

Even though South Africa batted well in the first match, players like Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp couldn’t make a significant impact this time. Brits, who scored 81 runs in the previous game, managed only 20 runs off 23 balls. After their captain Wolvaardt got out early, South Africa struggled to recover.

The South African middle order, including Kapp and Nadine de Klerk, fell to Pooja Vastrakar’s precise bowling. With the batting order collapsing, South Africa’s bowlers didn’t have much of a chance, and the match ended in just 10.5 overs.

Vastrakar and Yadav’s bowling feats

India’s bowlers, Pooja Vastrakar and Radha Yadav shone brightly in Chennai. Vastrakar’s 3-14 spell was crucial, taking out key players like Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, and Nadine de Klerk, all of whom had been scoring well for South Africa.

Radha Yadav also played a vital role with her 3-6 spell, dismissing Annerie Dercksen and further diminishing South Africa’s hopes of making a comeback. Their combined efforts ensured a dominant win for India.

IND-W vs SA-W 3rd T20 2024 short scores: South Africa 84/10 in 17.1 overs (T Brits 20; P Vastrakar 4-13, R Yadav 3-6) lost to India 88/0 in 10.5 overs (S Mandhana 54*, S Verma 27*) by 10 wickets.