Despite this, Bangladesh's inconsistent top order remains a significant concern. Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty, who also performs wicketkeeping duties, has struggled for runs, averaging just nine in the tournament.
Seventeen-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Karabo Meso on Wednesday earned her maiden call-up to South Africa's 15-member squad for the women's ODI World Cup starting later this month in India and Sri Lanka.
India have a mounting worry in the lack of runs so far from talismanic Smriti Mandhana, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and the energetic Jemimah Rodrigues.
Harmanpreet Kaur overtook legendary Australian batter Belinda Clark for most runs across all ICC Women's ODI World Cup knock-out matches during the title clash against South Africa, at Navi Mumbai's D Y Patil stadium, on Sunday.
India won their maiden Women's World Cup title with a 52-run victory over South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.
On paper, Pakistan are no match for South Africa even though Fatima Sana's team did win an ODI in the bilateral series that served as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup.
Despite making history, the 29-year-old's form at the ongoing showpiece event on home turf is turning out to be a cause of concern for India. In three appearances, Mandhana has managed just 54 runs at an underwhelming average of 18.00.
South Africa will be eager to turn consistent recent form into a title-winning run when they open their women's ODI World Cup campaign against traditional powerhouses England in Guwahati on Friday.
Deepti jumps two places to 5th, Mandhana continues to hold top spot in ODI rankings
In the league stage, South Africa suffered two heavy defeats and their batting came apart against spin in both games.
Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma guided India to a historic 52-run victory over South Africa which saw the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 hosts lift the trophy for the first time.
For India, the battle is no longer about proving skill or form, but about crossing the elusive final hurdle that has so often tripped them -- including in this very tournament.
Earlier, after incessant rain interrupted the exciting contest, South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to field against the hosts India.
A resolute South Africa came up with a clinical performance to shock mighty Australia by eight wickets and enter the final of the Women's T20 World Cup in Dubai on Thursday.
England put up an all-round show to outplay South Africa by seven wickets for their second successive win in the Women's T20 World Cup in Sharjah on Monday.
Women's T20 World Cup set for first-time champion as New Zealand-South Africa clash in final
Beat England to reach maiden Women's T20 World Cup final in Cape Town on Friday.
With a line-up of thrilling matches and intense competition, the ICC Women's T20 World Cup is sure to captivate fans around the globe. Stay tuned for updates and highlights as the tournament unfolds. Ahead of the tournament, here's everything you need to know about the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
Mandhana's sixth ODI century (117, 127 balls , 12x4s, 1x6) formed the fulcrum of India's competitive 265 for eight on a sluggish Chinnaswamy pitch.
IMAGES from the Women's T20 World Cup 2nd semi-final between South Africa and England in Cape Town on Friday.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur made a 48-ball 42 before Richa Ghosh sealed the chase with a six off Tumi Sekhukhune in the 41st over. India won with 56 balls to spare.
Mandhana 136 (120b, 18x4, 2x6) and Harmanpreet 103 not out (88b, 9x4, 3x6) ran roughshod over the Proteas bowlers after being asked to bat first.
Star batter Harmanpreet Kaur struck form with a timely hundred as India eked out a narrow two-run victory over South Africa in a warm-up match of the ICC Women's World Cup, in Rangiora, New Zealand, on Sunday.
Opener Rachael Haynes smashed a scintillating 130 as Australia scored a 12-run win over defending champions England in a high-scoring ICC Women's World Cup match, in Hamilton, on Saturday. In another match, South Africa handed Bangladesh a 32-run defeat in Dunedin.
IMAGES from the Women's T20 Challenge final between Supernovas and Velocity in Pune on Saturday.
Supernovas, champions in 2018 and 2019, just about managed to ward off their rivals in a last-over thriller.
The Proteas finished second in Group 1, behind defending champions Australia who won all their four matches.
The T20 Challenge, to be played during the IPL play-offs, will begin with last year's finalist Supernovas taking on Velocity in the opening game.
India's star players Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma were on Monday named captains of the three teams for the Women's T20 Challenge to be played in Pune from May 23.
Marizanne Kapp was again South Africa's star player as they edged a thrilling tussle with New Zealand, getting home with two wickets and three balls to spare.
Raut jumped eight places to 18th after scores of 62 not out, 77 and 104 not out in her last three matches.
The first five games of the ICC event have caused a lot of movement in the women's ODI player rankings with Australia skipper Meg Lanning climbing up two spots in the rankings for batters.
Dominant in the series-opener, the Indian women's cricket team would now look to seal the issue when it takes on South Africa in the second ODI of the three-match series
South Africa had been to five previous World Cup semi-finals across all formats without success, but now stand on the brink of a career-defining moment for what is largely a young group of players.
Smriti Mandhana-led Trailblazers will aim for another win to finish with two victories and enter the final on November 9 with momentum behind them.
With the win, South Africa moved to the third spot while Pakistan continued to languish at the bottom
India will go all out to brush off an inconsistent run and seal a semifinal berth in the Women's World Cup
Velocity suffered a 16-run defeat in the Women's T20 Challenge but still qualified for the final on the basis of a better net run rate, knocking out victors Trailblazers from the tournament in Pune on Thursday.
Indian women's team was also scheduled to tour England for the tri-series (also involving SA) but it had pulled out due to the health crisis in their own country.
Meg Lanning's 135 not out led her Australia side to a thumping five-wicket win over South Africa, continuing their unbeaten run at the ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2022 at Basin Reserve in Wellington on Tuesday.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances