Kranti Gaud delivered a spectacular moment of brilliance, providing India with a sensational start against South Africa in their Women’s World Cup clash in Visakhapatnam.
Tazmin Brits, who had scored a century in the previous match, was dismissed for a duck.
Gaud bowled a length ball just outside the off stump. Tazmin Brits aggressively drove at it but couldn’t keep it grounded. In a breathtaking display of athleticism, Kranti instinctively thrust out her left hand during her follow-through, securing a phenomenal reflex catch. She landed flat, clutching the ball tightly, as her ecstatic teammates immediately mobbed her in celebration.
In less than five months since her international debut, Kranti Gaud has rapidly established herself as India’s primary new-ball bowler.
Earlier in the match, Richa Ghosh’s dynamic innings of 94 runs helped India recover from an early top-order collapse, setting a challenging target of 251 against South Africa. Her 77-ball knock, featuring 11 fours and 4 sixes, was a masterclass on how to capitalize on the easy-paced Visakhapatnam pitch, marking her seventh ODI half-century.
Kranti’s Rapid Ascent
In a crucial Women’s World Cup match against Pakistan just days before, Kranti Gaud showcased her increasing value to the team. She delivered an outstanding bowling performance, taking 3 wickets for just 20 runs in 10 overs, including three maidens, effectively dismantling Pakistan’s chase of 247.
This stellar effort led to a resounding 88-run victory for India and earned Gaud her first Player-of-the-Match award at the very stadium where she made her international debut earlier in May.
For Gaud, this journey has been nothing short of a dream. Hailing from Ghuwara, a small town in Bundelkhand, Madhya Pradesh, she has quietly and determinedly climbed through the ranks. Just last year, she was a net bowler for the Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League, before the UP Warriorz acquired her for a base price of ₹10 lakh at the auction.
When injuries sidelined key players Renuka Thakur and Pooja Vastrakar, opening a path into the national squad, Gaud didn’t hesitate. She grabbed the opportunity, delivering a sensational performance in the away series against England earlier this year, including a memorable six-wicket haul in the decisive third ODI. This secured her spot in the squad, and she has continued to impress ever since, growing from strength to strength.