India's batting vulnerability highlighted against South Africa
Left-arm spinners dominate, with Nonkululeko Mlaba taking key wickets
Smriti Mandhana and Harleen Deol fall victim to Proteas' spin attack
Next matches against elite spinners from Australia and England
Left-Arm Spin Haunts India At ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - South Africa Expose Flaw Ahead Of Australia, England Clashes
India struggled against left-arm spin in ICC Women's World Cup 2025 as Proteas' bowlers dominate, posing challenges ahead against Australia and England
Summary
As India push for a third successive win in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, the batters find themselves grappling with a tactical vulnerability that could shape the rest of their campaign.
Asked to set a target by the South Africa captain, Laura Wolvaardt, after a delayed start to their third group match due to a wet outfield, India were struggling at 130/6 in 35 overs.
And the story so far has been all about the Proteas bowlers, especially the spinners.
Nonkululeko Mlaba rattled India with her second delivery, in the 11th over: the wicket of Smriti Mandhana, holed out at long-on while going for a lofted shot.
The 25-year-old slow left-arm orthodox bowler then removed Harleen Deol in the 17th over, to leave India struggling at 83/2. Beaten by the flight, and the ball crashing into the wickets.
Deol's dismissal marked the ninth time an Indian batter has fallen to left-arm spin in this tournament.
Chloe Tryon, another left-arm spinner, compounded the matters for India. The 31-year-old, primarily known for her batting, got the wickets of Jemimah Rodrigues, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, and Amanjot Kaur.
This trend is especially alarming given India's next two fixtures: Australia and England. Both sides have elite left-arm spinners -- Sophie Molineux and Sophie Ecclestone.
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