The Women’s World Cup caravan rolls into the coastal city of Visakhapatnam — the fourth venue of the tournament and one that offers more than just postcard views. It’s where India held a two-week preparatory camp before the tournament began, giving the home side an early read on local conditions. The surface here is known to favour big totals, something India will hope to exploit — first against a dangerous South African side, and then again versus defending champions Australia on Sunday.

This will be the first time South Africa plays a women’s ODI in Vizag, a city that last hosted a women’s international back in 2014. They arrive with mixed form — rebounding from an embarrassing 69-all out and 10-wicket thrashing by England, to a dominant six-wicket win over New Zealand in Indore. With their batting order regaining confidence and a bowling attack brimming with variety, the Proteas are beginning to look like a team that can adapt — even in Vizag’s humid, moisture-laden conditions.

India, meanwhile, remain unbeaten so far, sitting just one point behind table-toppers Australia in third place. But as Jemimah Rodrigues candidly admitted, their first two wins were far from a “perfect game.” Now begins the crucial stretch that could make or break their campaign: a 10-day gauntlet of high-stakes clashes against South Africa, Australia, and England — the very trio that handed them defeats in the 2022 World Cup, leading to a league-stage exit.

South Africa were the ones who knocked India out of semi-final contention last time around, but India have since hit back hard — winning all five ODIs between the sides, including three at home last year and two in this year’s Sri Lanka tri-series. However, slipping into complacency now could come at a steep price. A slip-up on Thursday won’t just dent India’s momentum; it would leave them cornered ahead of their clash with Australia on October 12.

Still, the Indian camp will take heart from winning without a strong show from its star batters — a sign, perhaps, of depth and the presence of multiple match-winners. But they’ll need all of them firing soon.

As for South Africa, their confidence is back. Tazmin Brits has struck form with a century, Sune Luus is back among runs, and skipper Laura Wolvaardt will want to make her mark. Add to that the experience of Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, and a varied attack featuring Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, and the dynamic Chloe Tryon — and you’ve got a serious challenge brewing.

Oh, and then there’s the weather. With showers in the mix and a covered pitch likely holding some moisture, bowlers of all types may have their say. If Colombo’s conditions were any indication, we could be in for a gripping battle between bat and ball — provided the rain plays the silent spectator.

INDW vs SAW: VIZAG WEATHER REPORT

Visakhapatnam’s coastal charm is getting a damp twist just in time for its Women’s World Cup debut. After a light teaser of rain two days ago and a more theatrical downpour the day before the match, the city now finds itself nervously side-eyeing the skies, with more showers flirting with Wednesday afternoon. So far, the rain’s been a background extra rather than a showstopper, but the forecast hints it could be ready for a bigger role. Toss in a toasty 32C and humidity that clings harder than a last-over thriller, and you’ve got conditions that promise to test more than just skill — stamina, too. It’s a familiar script from Indore, Guwahati, and, of course, the ever-moody Colombo. While Vizag isn’t quite threatening the drama levels of that Australia vs Sri Lanka near-washout, the weather is definitely auditioning for a plot twist in this much-awaited opening act.

INDW vs SAW: VIZAG PITCH REPORT

After sweating it out for over an hour in Vizag’s muggy pre-match haze, Jemimah Rodrigues figured that anything around 270 could well be a match-winning total at the Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium — a venue that flatters batters early but slowly shifts the spotlight to spinners as the game wears on. With the average first-innings score hovering around 230, captains usually lean towards chasing, hoping to make the most of some early movement before the pitch begins to grip. But if India’s top order lights it up the way Rodrigues hopes, we might just be in for a full-blown Vizag run-fest.

INDW vs SAW: HEAD-TO-HEAD IN ODIS

When India take on South Africa in their Women’s World Cup clash, they’ll be bringing more than just good form — they’ll be carrying a hefty psychological edge. The head-to-head stats tell the tale: 20 wins for India in 32 ODIs, with the Proteas trailing at 12. And the recent history? It’s been all blue. India have won the last five meetings — casually, like it’s just part of their warm-up routine — with South Africa’s last victory dating back to March 2022. So yes, while the Proteas will be buoyed by their crushing win over New Zealand, they’ll have to shake off some serious history if they want to flip the script against the hosts.

INDW vs SAW: PREDICTED PLAYING XI

India will be buzzing with Amanjot Kaur back in action, having put in some serious net time on Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, South Africa look set to stick with their winning lineup from the New Zealand game in Indore—though Vizag’s pitch might throw them a cheeky curveball.

India predicted XI: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Shree Charani, Kranti Goud

South Africa predicted XI: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luss, Marizanne Kapp, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta (wkt), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

– Ends