Nadine de Klerk and Richa Ghosh produced remarkable lower-order batting displays as South Africa stunned India with a three-wicket victory at the Women's Cricket World Cup.

Having already beaten Sri Lanka and Pakistan, co-hosts India appeared poised to stay perfect in the tournament when Ghosh's magnificent innings put them in a strong position.

But South Africa chased down a target of 252 in the penultimate over to claim a dramatic triumph in what proved to be a classic encounter in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.

Home side India had made a steady start, safely navigating the powerplay with a 55-run opening partnership, but then quickly collapsed to 102-6 and then 153-7, with Chloe Tryon (3-32) starring for South Africa.

However, after coming in at number eight, wicket-keeper Ghosh smashed 94 runs from just 77 balls to turn the match around, sending the home fans into raptures as she brought the India innings to a thrilling conclusion.

Ghosh shared a pivotal stand of 88 with Sneh Rana (33 off 24) to help India to 251 all out, only falling in the final over as she sought to bring up what would have been a deserved century.

South Africa's run chase looked likely to fall short from the moment opener Tazmin Brits fell for a duck in the third over.

India remained on top despite the best efforts of captain Laura Wolvaardt, who compiled a patient 70, with the Proteas reduced to 142-6 in the 36th over, still needing 110 more for victory.

But South Africa pulled it off as De Klerk emulated Ghosh's heroics from the number eight position, firing 84 not out from just 54 deliveries, having been supported by a crucial knock from Tryon (49).

After being beaten unexpectedly, India must bounce back when they return to action with a massive match against holders Australia on Sunday, while South Africa face Bangladesh on Monday having been buoyed by a second straight win.

MATCH RESULT

Incredible. Absolutely incredible!!

What a contest! Momentum swung throughout, but #TheProteas Women held their nerve to complete a stunning run chase! #Unbreakable #CWC25 pic.twitter.com/xyJaAwaK2H

— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) October 9, 2025

Data Debrief: Glorious Ghosh stars in India defeat

Ghosh smashed 11 fours and four maximums in an astonishing display of hitting for India, but she paced her innings superbly – starting slowly after coming in earlier than would have been expected at the start of the 27th over.

She did not score from her first six balls and shared a steady partnership of 51 with Amanjot Kaur (13) before shifting through the gears.

Ghosh set a new women's ODI record for the highest score recorded by a batter who was coming in at number eight or lower in the batting order.

And the 22-year-old also moved past 1,000 career runs in her 44th WODI innings, becoming the fastest India batter to hit that milestone.

But those heroics were somehow not enough for victory. While De Klerk had never scored more than 60 before in a WODI match, she was able to produce a career-best knock that included five maximums to seal a major shock.