India Women vs South Africa Women Match Preview – ICC Women’s World Cup 2025

📅 Match Date: Thursday, 9th October 2025
📍 Venue: Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACAVDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam (Vizag)
⏰ Match Time: 10:30 AM GMT | 3:00 PM IST
🏆 Tournament: ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 – Match 10

📜 Match Overview

The 10th match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 promises to be a high-stakes encounter as India Women face South Africa Women at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Both teams are vying for a strong position in the group stage, with India currently at the top of the table and South Africa looking to bounce back after a mixed start.

This match will not only test the skill and depth of both sides but also serve as a crucial step in their journey toward the semifinals. The weather forecast suggests partly cloudy conditions with a temperature around 32-34°C, which should favor aggressive batting.

🏏 Team Form & Strengths

🇮🇳 India Women

India enter this match in fine form, having won their first two games against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. They currently sit at the top of the points table with 4 points and a net run rate of +1.757. The team is led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who has consistently delivered in crunch situations.

Their batting line-up is deep and dangerous, led by the opening duo of Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, who have already formed a formidable partnership. Jemimah Rodrigues has been a revelation in the middle order, scoring over 500 runs at a strike rate of 106.14 in the tournament so far. The bowling unit, led by Sneh Rana and Kranti Goud, has provided crucial breakthroughs and maintained tight lines in the death overs.

🇿🇦 South Africa Women

South Africa, on the other hand, are coming off a mixed start to the tournament. After a loss to England, they bounced back with a win over New Zealand, showing their ability to adapt and fight back. Under the leadership of Laura Wolvaardt, who has excelled in World Cup conditions, the Proteas have a balanced squad.

Tazmin Brits has been a standout with the bat, scoring a century in her last match, while Nonkululeko Mlaba has been a menace with the ball, taking 19 wickets at an average of 20.9. The all-round contributions of Marizanne Kapp and Sune Luus also give South Africa a strong all-round edge.

📊 Head-to-Head & Historical Data

• Matches Played (Women’s ODI): 33
• India Wins: 20
• South Africa Wins: 12
• No Result: 1

In World Cup history, the two teams have met thrice, with South Africa winning the last two encounters. However, in regular ODIs, India dominate the head-to-head record with 20 wins to South Africa’s 12.

🏟️ Venue & Pitch Insights

Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACAVDCA Cricket Stadium in Vizag is known for being batter-friendly, with a quick and true surface. The data shows:

• Average 1st Innings Score: ~250
• Team Win % when batting second: 80%
• Spin vs Fast Bowling: Spin bowlers average 15.26 and economy 2.73, while fast bowlers average 30.26 and economy 3.38
• Wickets per Innings: ~4.8 when chasing, ~8.8 when batting first

Given these stats, the team batting second is more likely to win at this venue. India may look to capitalize on the batting-friendly conditions to post a big total.

⚔️ Key Players to Watch

🇮🇳 India Women

• Jemimah Rodrigues: The middle-order firebrand with 511 runs at 42.6 in the tournament.
• Smriti Mandhana: Consistent opener with a strike rate of 96.14.
• Sneh Rana: One of the most consistent bowlers in the tournament, with 25 wickets.
• Kranti Goud: Emerging star with 18 wickets at 19.9 in 9 games.

🇿🇦 South Africa Women

• Tazmin Brits: First woman to score five ODI hundreds in a single year. A real match-winner.
• Laura Wolvaardt: Skipper who has excelled in World Cup conditions.
• Nonkululeko Mlaba: South Africa’s best bowler in the tournament with 19 wickets at 20.9.
• Marizanne Kapp: All-round threat with both bat and ball.

📊 Match Predictions & Fantasy Insights

• India are slight favorites due to their current form, depth, and strong head-to-head record.
• South Africa, however, are not to be underestimated, especially with their explosive batting and effective bowling.
• Expected Total Score: Over 270 for the team batting first.
• Fantasy Picks:
  • Captain: Jemimah Rodrigues (IND), Tazmin Brits (SA)
  • Vice-Captain: Sneh Rana (IND), Sune Luus (SA)
  • Must-Have Wicket-Taker: Kranti Goud (IND), Nonkululeko Mlaba (SA)

🗣️ Captain's View

Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues has expressed confidence in the team's depth and ability to win from anywhere in the order. She emphasized that the team hasn't even played their best game yet, which could be a real threat to their opponents. With the opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal in great form, India's batting is in a strong position.

🏆 Verdict

This is set to be a high-scoring, thrilling match in a batter-friendly venue. India will be looking to extend their undefeated run and maintain the top spot in the group, while South Africa will aim to make a statement with a surprise win.

Prediction: India to win, but South Africa will put up a fighting performance.

Stay tuned for live updates and match highlights as this World Cup classic unfolds!
“`