LIVE: South Africa keep things steady early in CWC25 final

Broadcast Details for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup

INDIA v SOUTH AFRICA, SCORECARD

India put up 298/7 in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final against South Africa, posting the second-highest score in a Women's ODI World Cup final. After a commanding 100-run opening stand, India were well placed at 223/3 but South Africa fought back to keep them below the 300 mark.

Shafali Verma (87) led the way with a fine knock while Deepti Sharma (58) steadied the innings towards the end. Richa Ghosh (34) added a lively cameo that gave India late momentum.

For South Africa, Ayabonga Khaka (3/58) was the standout performer with the ball while Nonkululeko Mlaba, Nadine de Klerk and Chloe Tryon picked up a wicket each.

Having lost the toss, India got India off to a brisk start with Shafali Verma and Smirit Mandhana putting up a 100-run partnership for the first wicket.

Mandhana (45), who looked in fluent touch, fell just short of her half-century but Verma kept the innings steady. She had a stroke of luck when Anneke Bosch dropped her on 55, a miss that proved costly as Verma went on to score a crucial knock that anchored India’s innings.

But South Africa found a way back into the game as Khaka struck twice in quick succession, removing two set batters in Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues to put India in a brief spot of bother. Every time India tried to build a partnership, the Proteas found a way to break it.

However, Deepti Sharma held the innings together from one end and her composure allowed India to recover after the middle-order wobble, even as wickets continued to fall around her. Toward the end, Richa Ghosh provided the late spark India were hoping for, finding boundaries and pushing the total closer to 300.

However, just when India seemed set for a big finish, Ghosh fell in the penultimate over and Nadine de Klerk delivered a brilliant final over, conceding only six runs and denying India a late flourish. Only 12 runs came off the last two overs, leaving India slightly short of what looked possible at one stage.

South Africa earlier won the toss and elected to bowl first after rain interrupted proceedings at the Dr DY Patil Stadium, forcing the toss for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final between India and South Africa to be postponed.

After a delay of more than an hour, the toss took place at 4:32 pm IST with the match beginning 5 pm IST. No overs have been lost so far but further rain interruptions could lead to a reduction in overs.

Hosts India and South Africa are all set to take on each other in the Final of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 in Navi Mumbai, as both teams eye their debut title, other than Australia, England and New Zealand who have succeeded in winning the marquee tournament.

South Africa dominated England with a 125-run win in Guwahati, while India pulled off arguably one of the greatest ODI chases against defending champions Australia to etch their name in the final in Navi Mumbai.

India's road to the final

South Africa's road to the final

SQUADS:

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud. Reserves: Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawat, Priya Mishra, Minnu Mani, Sayali Satghare

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase. Reserves: Miane Smit