NAVI MUMBAI, India: South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to bowl first against India in the final of the Women’s World Cup 2025 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.
Both teams have named unchanged XIs from their respective semi-final victories, as a new champion is set to be crowned in women’s ODI cricket.
This year’s final marks a historic occasion, with neither India nor South Africa having ever lifted the Women’s World Cup trophy.
India, runners-up in 2005 and 2017, are contesting their third final, while South Africa have reached the title decider for the first time after defeating four-time champions England in the semi-final.
Persistent rain delayed the toss by two hours, but officials confirmed that no overs were lost in the 50-over contest.
Thousands of fans, most in Indian jerseys, waited patiently in the stands on a damp afternoon, as the 45,000-capacity venue filled up for the highly anticipated clash.
“We are going to bowl first. There’s a bit of rain around and there might be dew later on, so we’re hoping for a bit of slippiness early on,” said South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt, who scored a record-breaking 169 in the semi-final.
“We are unchanged from the semis. It’s a big game for us and we’re really excited to play in front of a big crowd.”
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said she would also have preferred to bowl first. “We were looking to bowl, given the overhead conditions. We’ll try to bat well and put up a decent score. I don’t think there will be much in the pitch after five or six overs,” she said. “Everyone’s recovered well after the semis and we’re ready for this challenge.”
Conditions and tactical factors
Overcast skies and lingering moisture are expected to favour the bowlers early on, making Wolvaardt’s decision to field first a strategic move.
Dew later in the evening could further assist batting, turning the chase into an advantage.
India head into the match after pulling off a record chase of 339 runs against seven-time champions Australia in the semi-final, while South Africa’s confidence is high after dismantling England with both bat and ball.
Key player battles to watch
Mandhana vs Kapp: India’s Smriti Mandhana, the tournament’s leading run-getter for her team, faces South Africa’s premier seamer Marizanne Kapp, who has been lethal with the new ball. Their duel could dictate the early momentum.
Wolvaardt vs Renuka: Tournament top-scorer Laura Wolvaardt will confront India’s swing specialist Renuka Singh. Early wickets could shift the balance significantly.
Gaud vs Brits: India’s spinner Kranti Gaud, who dismissed Tazmin Brits in the league stage, will aim to repeat that success, while Brits will look to counter with an aggressive start.
Deepti vs De Klerk: Both teams rely heavily on their all-rounders — Deepti Sharma and Nadine de Klerk — for stability in the middle overs. Their performances with both bat and ball could prove decisive.
Playing XIs
India: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, N Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur.
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Annerie Dercksen, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.
Umpires: Eloise Sheridan (Australia), Jacqueline Williams (West Indies).
