Team India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and middle-order Jemimah Rodrigues failed to step up for the side in the ongoing Women's ODI World Cup 2025 against South Africa at DR Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Thursday, October 10.

After being put into bat first by South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt, Team India had a steady start to their innings with a 55-run opening stand between Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana before the latter's dismissal. Thereafter, things have gone downhill for the hosts as the middle order failed to deliver when they were needed the most.

Following Harlee Deol's dismissal at 83/2, the Women in Blue were reduced to 102/6, losing four wickets in just 19 runs, as South Africa's bowlers tightened their grip on the game after dismissing key batters in quick succession.

No Show by Harmanpreet and Jemimah

Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues have been quite inconsistent with their performances in the ongoing Women's World Cup 2025, as they were dismissed cheaply against South Africa. Both batters, who were expected to step up in crucial moments, left the team in a shambolic situation as they failed to build partnerships or anchor the innings when India needed stability the most.

India's skipper walked it to bat when India were 83/2 and was struggling to get into rhythm, while Pratika Rawal (37) was anchoring the innings before her dismissal at 91/3. Thereafter, Harmanpreet was joined by Jemimah Rodrigues at the crease to carry on India's innings. The duo was hoping for a strong partnership to keep South African bowlers on the back foot. However, Rodrigues, who returned to form with 32 in the last match against Pakistan, was dismissed for a 4-ball duck at 92/4.

Two ducks in three innings for Jemimah Rodrigues. Not a great start of her Debut World Cup.#WomensWorldCup2025 twitter/4d7vzprZfw

- (@Shebas_10dulkar) October 9, 2025

Harmanpreet Kaur, who was yet to get going, followed soon after for a 24-ball 9 at 100/5, leaving India in a precarious position as the middle-order failed to stabilize India's innings. Soon, Deepti Sharma was dismissed for just 2 runs at 102/6, further leaving the team in a shambolic situation.

India Lost 5 Wickets just in 100 runs Harmanpreet Kaur in 2025WC (So far)3 Inngs || 49 runs || 16.33 Avg || 63.33 SR#WomensWorldCup2025 twitter/cwqmxTCZpF

- (@Shebas_10dulkar) October 9, 2025

In the last three matches of the Women's World Cup, Harmanpreet Kaur's scores read 21, 19, and 9, aggregating 49 at an average of 16, while Jemimah Rodrigues registered two ducks and 32 runs, highlighting their inability to contribute consistently in crucial middle-order positions.

Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues Criticized

Following poor performances by Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues, the two were criticized by fans for failing to anchor the innings and for letting the team collapse at a crucial stage against South Africa.

Taking to their X handle (formerly Twitter), fans called out Team India skipper and middle-order batter for their inconsistent performances, expressing their frustrations over their sloppy shot selection and inability to handle pressure, with many questioning their approach in crucial situations of the match.

Harmanpreet Kaur in the Women's World Cup 2025 so far:21(19) vs Sri Lanka 19(34) vs Pakistan 9(24) vs South Africa The tournament hasn't gone well so far for the Indian Captain! #HarmanpreetKaur #INDvSA #INDvsSA #INDWvSAW #INDWvsSAW #WomensWorldCup2025 #CWC25 twitter/dbO4lNqZQn

- Jitendra Kumar (@jitenda60203698) October 9, 2025

#INDWvsSAWSomeone please give a guitar to Jemimah Rodrigues and tell her to make reel instead of playing cricket for country twitter/V7MXGYF0tc

- Cold Toffee (@cold_toffee) October 9, 2025

Disgraceful batting display by Harmanpreet Kaur... Once again she failed to score some good runs.. #hramanpreet#INDWvsSAW #IndianCricket #viral #Gaza twitter/JOTfyGjvfM

- Online Me ✨ (@Online0809) October 9, 2025

Pathetic batting. Jemimah Rodrigues hasn't played a consistent good innings in this tournament so far

- Captain Hindsight (@Symbianian) October 9, 2025

One more failure for Harmanpreet Kaur.

- A (@Agd_1) October 9, 2025

Don't understand why Jemimah Rodrigues is in the playing 11. Never saw her perform in any crucial matches against the big teams. Other players like Shefali Verma get axed due to low scores which is fair but Jemimah never gets called out for her poor performances. #CWC2025

- Pradeep Mandal (@smartpra06) October 9, 2025

If there is any DISGRACE in this Indian team it is Harmanpreet Kaur!!!After that 100 against England in the last ODI , she has managed to score only 129 in 6 innings@BCCIWomen needs to take a call on her after #WomensWorldCup2025 @ImHarmanpreet @amolmuzumdar11

- R (@imrajitd) October 9, 2025

When will we question this Indian women's team when did they deliver be it Jemimah Rodrigues or our captain @ImHarmanpreet whenever team is in trouble they will be part of trouble against sl same story now against sa same story when smriti mandana will score runs

- ameernandanapu (@ameer_395) October 9, 2025

"I don't understand why Harmanpreet Kaur is still getting a place in the team despite failing repeatedly. Is it just because of her captaincy?"#harmanpreetkaur #ICCWomensWorldCup2025 #INDvSA

- Rituraj Singh (@Rituraj22x) October 9, 2025

Jemimah rodrigues is such a waste as cricketer..!!

- SAHIL (@82_MCG__) October 9, 2025

Harmanpreet Kaur Should be stepped down from Captaincy immediately. Totally Garbage Player. Burden of the Team.#INDWvsSAW

- Rishav Sarkar (@Mechanic99_0) October 9, 2025

Jemimah Rodrigues two ducks, both while sweeping, both to left-arm spin. It's becoming a technical and tactical concern. Teams have clearly figured out India's vulnerability to left-arm spin 10 wickets already, the most in the tournament. Time for better shot selection and...

- HEMANT GAUTAM (@indian_Cricket4) October 9, 2025

Harmanpreet Kaur if you cannot play responsible innings as a captain kindly retire playing one out of ten games that too with slow pace very much disappointed @ImHarmanpreet

- bhavya sanju (@bhavya_sanju) October 9, 2025

Meanwhile, India are aiming for their third consecutive win in the ongoing Women's World Cup 2025 match against South Africa. The Women in Blue had a great start to their maiden World Cup title quest with wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan, continuing their campaign with hopes of maintaining momentum.

MENAFN09102025007385015968ID1110173938