Snehasis Mukherjee in Navi Mumbai
History beckons at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, as India are all set to take on South Africa in the final of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. A new champion will be crowned.
In the league stage, the Proteas Women defeated India in Vizag, but a final comes with a different kind of pressure. With an expected jam-packed crowd, the Women in Blue will look to turn the tables.
There is no major rain threat for now, though some passing showers could occur. The forecast is changing hour by hour, but as things stand, the match is set to go ahead as scheduled.
League Stage Standings
South Africa: 3rd position – 10 points from 7 games (5 wins, 2 losses), NRR -0.379
India: 4th position – 7 points from 7 games (3 wins, 3 losses, 1 no result), NRR +0.628
Their Previous Meeting during the league stage
India suffered their first defeat of this World Cup against South Africa, in Vizag, on October 9. After winning the toss, the Proteas asked India to bat. Despite a solid 55-run opening stand between Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, India lost momentum and slipped to 102/6.
Then came the rescue act. Richa Ghosh (94 off 77) and Sneh Rana (33 off 24) helped India reach 251 in 49.5 overs. For South Africa, Chloe Tryon picked up three wickets.
In reply, South Africa were in deep trouble at 81/5, but skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s 70 anchored the innings. The real turnaround came through Tryon’s 49 (66) and Nadine de Klerk’s unbeaten 84 (54), guiding their team home with seven balls to spare. De Klerk was named Player of the Match for her match-winning effort.
Head-to-Head in ODIs
Overall: 34 matches – India 20, South Africa 13, No result 1
In India: 16 matches – India 9, South Africa 7
In Women’s World Cups: 6 matches – India 3, South Africa 3
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Players to Watch Out For
India
Jemimah Rodrigues
It was a tough start to the tournament for Jemimah Rodrigues, just 65 runs in her first four innings, including two ducks. After being dropped against England, she made a strong comeback in the next match against New Zealand, scoring an unbeaten 76 that helped India post a big total.
She carried that form into the semi-final against Australia, where she produced a match-winning unbeaten 127, in a record-breaking chase of 339 runs. With her confidence sky-high, Jemimah will once again be India’s key player in the final.
Deepti Sharma
The veteran all-rounder has been outstanding throughout the tournament. She is currently the joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets in eight innings. With the bat, she has scored 157 runs in six innings at an average of 26.16, including two fifties.
Deepti’s story adds emotion to this final. She was at the crease in the 2017 World Cup final at Lord’s, when India needed 11 runs off 12 balls but fell short. Eight years later, this could be her moment of redemption if another pressure situation arrives.
South Africa
Laura Wolvaardt
The South African captain has been in brilliant form, leading from the front after a poor start to the campaign. Following their major collapse against England, she guided the team to five consecutive wins. Despite a heavy loss to Australia later, South Africa bounced back in the semi-final, powered by Wolvaardt’s 169-run masterclass.
She is the leading run-scorer in the tournament, with 470 runs in eight innings, averaging 67.14 and striking at 97.91, including one century and three fifties. Her calm 70 against India in Vizag was the turning point of her campaign.
Nadine de Klerk
The explosive all-rounder has been South Africa’s game-changer. She was the hero of the league-stage win over India and has continued to deliver under pressure.
With 190 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 136.69, De Klerk has shown her finishing prowess. She has also taken eight wickets in six innings at an economy of 5.17, picking key breakthroughs at crucial moments.
Probable Playing XIs
India
Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh
South Africa
Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba
Also Read: India stay relaxed, South Africa go hard in final training before World Cup summit clash