Visakhapatnam, Oct 10 (NationPress) After previously facing Indian pacer Kranti Gaud, South African batter Nadine de Klerk gained confidence as she guided her team to a remarkable victory against India in the ICC Women's ODI World Cup.

De Klerk executed a stunning attack on the Indian bowlers in the final three overs, striking Gaud for multiple sixes and a four, while also hitting two sixes in three balls against Amanjot Kaur in the 49th over, sealing the win.

Batting at No. 8, de Klerk scored an impressive 84 not out off 54 balls, including eight fours and five sixes. She formed a crucial 69-run partnership with Chloe Tryon (49 off 66), which was instrumental in South Africa's exciting win.

De Klerk mentioned that she and Tryon aimed to take their innings deep, drawing confidence from captain Laura Wolvaardt's encouragement after their previous match where they were bowled out for 69 by England. On Thursday, the captain set the stage with a solid 70 off 111 balls.

"When Chloe and I were batting, we decided to take it deep, knowing we could score 10 runs an over if we were still at the crease in the final overs. It was about being positive and putting pressure on their bowlers," de Klerk shared in the post-match conference.

She acknowledged that bowling medium-pace during the death overs was relatively easier, contributing to their victory.

"I think seam bowling was more effective on this pitch, and while their spinners did well in the middle overs, we felt confident against the pace bowlers in the latter stages," she added.

Regarding Richa Ghosh's attempt to get medical help for her hamstring in the 47th over, de Klerk suggested it was a tactical move from the Indian team to disrupt South Africa's momentum. However, she found the break beneficial for reassessing her strategy.

"We suspected it was a tactic to slow things down, but it gave me a moment to refresh my game plan. In the end, it worked out well for us," de Klerk stated.

De Klerk expressed that the match became more challenging after Tryon's dismissal.

"Things got trickier after Chloe got out, but we maintained our belief and character, knowing this game was crucial for our team," she reflected.

"I’m really pleased we crossed the line. It’s vital to keep going, regardless of batting position. Richa showed that for India today as well. Just focus on batting time," added de Klerk.

She conveyed that the team felt confident chasing 250 runs after their solid performance against New Zealand, where they scored 234/4 in 40.5 overs.

"We were confident about chasing 250, though we made it more challenging for ourselves than desired. Still, there were many positives, and I’m glad we secured the win today," she concluded.

Captain Wolvaardt praised de Klerk's performance as exceptional and remarkable.

"It was incredible. I don’t think I’ve seen anything quite like it in my career. That innings was special. We were in a tough spot after discussions about our first game. We knew we had the runs on the board. We aimed to take the game deep and needed something extraordinary, which we got," Wolvaardt said.

"She (de Klerk) has been practicing well against our bowlers, and I’m thrilled it translated into the game. She managed the chase beautifully," she added.

Indeed, it was a remarkable innings from a player who firmly believed in their potential. Now, South Africa looks to carry this momentum throughout the tournament.

The South African men's team shed the 'chokers' label by winning the World Test Championship title last year. Perhaps in 2025, the women's team will claim their first ICC title. The opportunity now lies in their hands to pursue glory.