As the Women’s ODI Tri-Nation Series 2025 heads into a crucial phase, the spotlight shifts to the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo for a high-stakes clash between India and South Africa.
The stakes couldn’t be higher: Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa find themselves in a must-win situation to keep their campaign alive, while Harmanpreet Kaur’s India are eager to bounce back from a rare and stinging defeat to Sri Lanka. The pressure is palpable, the motivation sky-high, and with Colombo’s surface expected to aid spin, tactical nous will be at a premium.
Here is our Fantasy 11 crafted for maximum impact in this pivotal encounter, balancing experience, versatility, and match awareness.
Fantasy 11 for India Women Vs South African Women
Wicketkeeper:
Richa Ghosh (India):
Richa Ghosh’s fearless approach with the bat and sharp reflexes behind the stumps make her an invaluable Fantasy pick. Her ability to accelerate in the lower middle order can be a game-changer, especially if India needs a late surge. In spin-friendly Colombo, her glovework will be crucial in supporting India’s spinners.
Richa Ghosh scored 82 runs at a strike rate of 132.25 and an average of 41 in a couple of innings with the bat for her side in the ongoing Tri-Nation series so far. She has scored 772 runs at a strike rate of 95.42 and an average of 29.69 in 33 innings with the bat, including six half-centuries in the format.
Batters:
Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa):
The South African skipper is the anchor of her side’s batting. Wolvaardt’s classical technique and calm temperament make her ideally suited to weather early storms and build an innings, qualities that will be vital with South Africa’s tournament hopes on the line. Her leadership and composure under pressure make her a must-have.
The South African skipper has scored 53 runs in a couple of innings with the bat for her side in the series so far. She has scored 4,356 runs at a strike rate of 71.64 and a sensational average of 49.50 in 102 innings, including 34 half-centuries and 8 centuries to her name in the format so far. She is poised to play a crucial role if South Africa is to make a comeback in the series. She could also be a captaincy candidate for your fantasy 11.
Smriti Mandhana (India):
A left-handed opener with elegance and authority, Mandhana’s ability to play both pace and spin with equal ease makes her a prized asset in Colombo. Her knack for laying solid foundations at the top is exactly what India will need to regain momentum.
She hasn’t had the volume of runs; she has been accustomed to scoring in recent times. She has scored 97 runs at a strike rate of 75.78 and an average of 32.33 in three innings. She is also the 3rd highest run-scorer for India in the ongoing Tri-Nation series. She has scored 4,306 runs at a strike rate of 87.32 and an average of 45.80 in 100 innings including 30 half-centuries and 10 centuries to her name in the format.
Pratika Rawal (India):
Pratika Rawal brings solidity at the top of the order and offers a handy off-spin option. Her adaptability and willingness to play the situation make her a valuable Fantasy pick, especially in a game where tactical flexibility could prove decisive.
She is currently the leading run-scorer of the series with 163 runs at a strike rate of 84.89 and an astonishing average of 81.50 in three innings, including a couple of half-centuries. She has scored 607 runs at a strike rate of 92.53 and an average of 75.87 in 9 innings in the ODI format so far for India, showing prominent signs of her hunger for scoring big runs for India.
Harmanpreet Kaur (India):
The Indian captain thrives in big moments. Her aggressive batting can change the course of a match within a few overs, and her off-spin provides a useful option if the pitch starts to grip. Harmanpreet’s leadership and experience are irreplaceable in high-pressure games.
She has scored 71 runs at a strike rate of 76.34 in a couple of innings with the bat for her side in the series so far. She has scored 3,874 runs at a strike rate of 74.65 and an average of 37.61 in 124 innings with the bat for her side, including 19 half-centuries and 6 centuries in the format for India so far.
All-rounders:
Sune Luus (South Africa):
Sune Luus’ all-round prowess-combining reliable middle-order batting with effective spin-makes her indispensable. In must-win matches, Luus’ calm head and ability to contribute to all facets of the game elevate her as the captaincy choice. Her adaptability to subcontinental conditions and big-match temperament make her a genuine match-winner.
She has scored 59 runs at a strike rate of 80.82 and an average of 29.50 in a couple of innings with the bat for her side in the series so far. She has also picked up one wicket with the ball for her side in the series so far. She has scored 2,335 runs at a strike rate of 65.09 and an average of 24.84 in 109 innings with the bat, including 14 half-centuries and a century, and also picked up 116 wickets at an average of 22.04 and an economy of 4.50 in 92 innings with the ball. Her tally of wickets includes 3 four-wicket hauls and 5 five-wicket hauls for her side in the format.
Sneh Rana (India):
Sneh Rana’s dual threat with both bat and ball is tailor-made for Colombo’s conditions. Her off-spin will be crucial on a surface expected to turn, and her lower-order batting can rescue or finish an innings. Rana’s recent form and composure under pressure make her the ideal vice-captain.
She is currently the leading wicket-taker of the series with 11 wickets at an average of 10.81 and an economy of 4.25 in three innings, including her maiden five-wicket haul with the ball for her side in the series so far, making a remarkable comeback in the Indian set-up in the white-ball format. She has picked up 40 wickets at an average of 27.95 and an economy of 4.58 in 30 innings with the ball for India. She has also scored 215 runs, including one half-century, in 21 innings with the bat in the format.
Nadine de Klerk (South Africa):
Nadine de Klerk’s medium pace and aggressive batting provide South Africa with balance. Her ability to break partnerships with the ball and accelerate with the bat makes her a valuable all-rounder, especially in crunch situations.
She has picked up a couple of wickets at an economy of 4.05 in a couple of innings with the ball in the ongoing series. She has also scored 17 runs in a couple of innings with the bat for South Africa in the series. She has picked up 51 wickets at an average of 27.33 and an economy of 4.81 in 42 innings with the ball and scored 606 runs at an average of 20.89 in 36 innings, including a couple of half-centuries to her name in the format.
Chloe Tryon (South Africa):
Chloe Tryon’s explosive batting and left-arm spin offer South Africa the perfect x-factor. She can change a game in a handful of deliveries, whether it’s with a flurry of boundaries or a timely wicket.
She has scored 53 runs in a couple of innings with the bat for her side in the series. She has scored 1,924 runs at a strike rate of 99.07 and an average of 25.65 in 88 innings, including 11 half-centuries to her name in the format. She has also picked up 47 wickets at an economy of 4.32 in 78 innings with the ball for South Africa in the format.
Annerie Dercksen (South Africa):
Annerie Dercksen’s right-arm medium pace and lower-order batting add depth to South Africa’s lineup. Her energy in the field and ability to chip in with both bat and ball make her a smart fantasy selection. She has scored 91 runs at a strike rate of 113.75 in a couple of innings with the bat, making her the 2nd highest run-scorer for South Africa, including an unbeaten half-century in the series so far. She has also picked up one wicket in a couple of innings with the ball for her side in the series.
She has scored 161 runs at an average of 32.20 in six innings with the bat and also picked up 7 wickets at an average of 23.14 and an economy of 6.48 in six innings with the ball for her side in the format.
Bowlers:
Nonkululeko Mlaba (South Africa):
Nonkululeko Mlaba’s left-arm orthodox spin is well-suited to the slow, turning tracks of Colombo. Her ability to contain runs and pick up crucial wickets in the middle overs could prove pivotal, especially against a strong Indian batting lineup.
She is currently the leading wicket-taker for South Africa and the joint 2nd highest wicket-taker with the ball in the series with 4 wickets at an average of 24.75 and an economy of 4.95 in a couple of innings with the ball for her side in the tournament alongside Sri Lanka’s Sugandika Kumari, Dewmi Vihanga, Malki Madara, and India’s Shree Charani. She has picked up 27 wickets at an average of 43.18 and an economy of 4.81 in 30 innings with the ball for her side in the format.
With both teams desperate for a win, expect a fiercely contested battle in Colombo. This Fantasy 11 blends proven performers, tactical flexibility, and match-winning potential, perfectly suited for the drama and unpredictability of a must-win ODI in Sri Lanka. Set your teams, back your instincts, and get ready for a thrilling showdown in the Women’s Tri-Nation Series.
