Proteas Women vs India - ODI Tri-Series 2025 | South Africa Miss Final After 23-Run Loss

Proteas Women Bow Out of Tri-Series Final Race After Spirited Fight Against India

The hopes of the Proteas Women making the final of the ODI Tri-Series came to a disappointing end on Wednesday after a gripping high-scoring contest against India at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Despite a valiant chase led by Annerie Dercksen and Chloé Tryon, South Africa fell 23 runs short of the 338-run target, ending their chances of contesting Sunday’s final.

India's innings was anchored by Jemimah Rodrigues' sublime 123 off 101 balls and supported by a belligerent 93 from Deepti Sharma. Their 122-run partnership in the middle overs tilted the momentum in India's favour and ultimately proved too steep a climb for the Proteas despite a heroic middle-order response.

South Africa’s decision to bowl first reaped immediate rewards, with Nadine de Klerk and Masabata Klaas removing India’s openers cheaply. With the score at 18/2, the Proteas sniffed an opportunity. Smriti Mandhana and Rodrigues, however, steadied India with a composed partnership. Even after Mandhana departed for 51, Rodrigues pushed on, building a vital alliance with Sharma, who contributed 84 blistering runs.

India's acceleration in the last ten overs, despite late wickets, propelled them to a commanding 337/9. Mlaba, Klaas, and de Klerk shared wickets, but the Proteas' death bowling couldn’t contain India’s final burst.

In reply, South Africa stumbled early, losing Lara Goodall and Tazmin Brits within the first 15 overs. Debutant Miané Smit showed maturity with a composed 39, but the pressure of a mammoth chase mounted quickly. The innings gained momentum when Dercksen arrived at the crease. Her 81 off 80 balls, combined with useful stands alongside Shangase and Jafta, kept hopes alive.

Tryon then launched a counterattack that nearly turned the tide. Her 67 off just 43 balls included five sixes, lighting up Colombo and hinting at a late Proteas charge. With Nadine de Klerk providing support, the duo added 51 runs in a brisk partnership that narrowed the deficit significantly.

However, with the required rate climbing and a brief stoppage due to bad light, momentum was disrupted. Tryon fell in the final over, bowled by Sharma, ending South Africa's chase at 314/7.

The defeat means that the Proteas Women cannot progress to the final. Still, the match revealed positive signs: Dercksen’s consistency, Tryon's leadership, and Smit's promise on debut. Coach Hilton Moreeng and his staff will look to the final Tri-Series clash against Sri Lanka on Friday as a chance to end the campaign on a high and begin preparing for the looming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

With the batting showing character and key bowlers getting overs under their belt, the Proteas Women will take key lessons into their build-up to the global event. Areas of concern like fielding lapses and death bowling will need attention, but there’s no denying the spirit and progress evident in recent games.