Proteas Women vs India: Three head-to-head clashes that could decide this World Cup clash

The Proteas Women’s team face arguably their toughest challenge of the ICC Women’s World Cup when they front up to co-hosts India in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.

India are in sublime form having brushed aside fellow hosts Sri Lanka and arch-rivals Pakistan to remain the only team with a 100% record at this World Cup.

The Proteas, in contrast, endured a horrific start to the World Cup, suffering a 10-wicket thrashing to England before showing good character by bouncing back with an emphatic six-wicket victory over T20 world champions New Zealand.

There will be plenty of individual battles contested over the course of the 100 overs at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VCDA Cricket Stadium and Independent Media’s Zaahier Adams highlights three head-on collisions that could decide the outcome of this crucial World Cup encounter.

Tazmin Brits vs Smriti Mandhana

The two most in-form batters in women's cricket. Mandhana is a global superstar, ranked No 1 in the world, with 959 runs at an average of 59.93 in 2025. Brits, with four centuries in five matches, follows closely with 749 runs at 83.22. This is a clash of the Titans. Mandhana, though, has had a quiet start to this World Cup with two failures and is primed for a big score against the Proteas. Brits, meanwhile, is on a red-hot streak and will be aiming to follow up her century against the Kiwis with another ton against the hosts. 

Nonkululeko Mlaba vs Harmanpreet Kaur 

Proteas left-arm spinner Mlaba is approaching her prime years and is certainly showing her worth at this World Cup. “Lefty” was excellent against the White Ferns, utilising the spin friendly conditions to claim 4/40, which has seen her rise to a career-best 13th place on the ICC ODI bowling rankings. It will though be an entirely different challenge against the Indians, particularly Harmanpreet. The experienced Indian skipper was reared on a diet of left-arm spin. Her attacking mindset has her placing opposing spinners under pressure from the outset in a bid to unsettle their rhythm. Mlaba may view this as an opportunity to dismiss Harmanpreet early, setting the stage for an intriguing battle.

Sune Luus vs Deepti Sharma

Former captain Luus occupies the crucial No 3 position in the Proteas batting line-up. She is the wall between the mainstay opening pair of Brits and captain Laura Wolvaardt and the attacking middle-order. Her calming presence at the crease is vital, as was illustrated in the record-breaking 159-run partnership with Brits against the Kiwis. She is adept at playing spin and needs to shield the likes of Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch and Sinalo Jafta from coming in too early against the likes of the wily Sharma. The experienced off-spinner has been in good form in this World Cup, picking up six wickets against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and has the potential to run through this Proteas batting unit.