India vs South Africa Highlights: Harmanpreet Kaur-Led Bravehearts Make History, Clinch First-Ever Women's World Cup Title | Cricket News

India vs South Africa, ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025 Final Highlights: Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma delivered stellar all-round performances as India defeated South Africa by 52 runs to clinch their first-ever Women's World Cup title in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. The team secured the coveted trophy in its third attempt, having previously lost the 2005 final to Australia and the 2017 summit clash to England. In the 2025 final, Shafali scored a brilliant 87 off 78 balls, while Deepti contributed a run-a-ball 58, helping India post 298 for 7 in 50 overs after being invited to bat first. In the chase, the Proteas were bundled out for 246 despite Laura Wolvaardt's fighting century. Deepti starred with a five-wicket haul (5 for 39), while Shafali chipped in with two wickets for 36 runs. (Scorecard) India vs South Africa, Women's World Cup Final Highlights -It's a wrap!Finally!!! On their third attempt, India have clinched the Women's ODI World Cup title. They lost to Australia and England in the previous two finals, but not this time. Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. have done the unthinkable. The underdogs have scripted their names into the pages of history, and their incredible feat will be remembered for ages. A new era of women's cricket begins tonight!That’s it from this space, folks! We hope you enjoyed our coverage of the game and the tournament. We sign off here, but the sporting action continues. Stay connected to NDTV Sports for more. Goodnight - and sweet dreams!World Cup Final LIVE: Credit to every single member - Harmanpreet"I'm just so grateful for this crowd. They have been amazing. Thank you, everyone, for supporting us through all the ups and downs. And a special thanks to my dad - I almost forgot him - our selectors, and everyone back home. Thank you so much. Even after those three losses, we always had that belief. We spoke about it after the last game - we knew this team had something special to turn things around," said India captain Harmanpreet Kaur."Credit to every single member. They stayed positive, focused, and gave everything day and night. This team truly deserves to be here. The last two years under Amol sir, we've worked so hard. He kept reminding us that this team is capable of something extraordinary. Credit to the support staff and the BCCI for trusting us - they didn't make too many changes, they believed in this group. And today, we're standing here because of everyone who's been part of this journey - past and present. This is just the beginning. We wanted to break this barrier, and now we've done it. Our next goal is to make this consistent - to make it happen again and again. This is not the end - it's the start of a new chapter," she added.LIVE: India receive the ODI World Cup trophy!An elated Harmanpreet Kaur walks onto the podium and receives the Women's World Cup trophy from International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah. The Indian captain cannot hide her overwhelming joy as she takes the trophy from Shah and is soon joined by her teammates in celebration.India vs South Africa Final LIVE: Indian players take winners' medal!The Indian players walk onto the podium and receive their winners' medals. India captain Harmanpreet Kaur then joined the presenter for a chat after that, but she couldn’t hear the questions - so loud was the crowd at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. These are the moments Harmanpreet will cherish for life. Not just her, in fact - the entire Indian women's cricket team.India vs South Africa Final LIVE: PM Narendra Modi hails Team India!A spectacular win by the Indian team in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Finals. Their performance in the final was marked by great skill and confidence. The team showed exceptional teamwork and tenacity throughout the tournament. Congratulations to our players. This...— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 2, 2025 India vs South Africa Final LIVE: We are feeling very happy - Deepti"Honestly, this is feeling like a dream because we have not been able to come out of that emotion. Feeling really nice I could contribute this way in a World Cup final. We have always thought about how we can use the takeaways from every match. Thanks to them (the people), this would not have been possible. As a team, we are feeling very happy," said Deepti Sharma."I always enjoy, whichever department I am in, or whichever situation is. I wanted to play according to the situation. Enjoyed a lot. As a stage, to perform as an all-rounder, it cannot be a more amazing feeling. I just wanted to dedicate this trophy (Player of the Tournament) to my mom and dad," she added.India vs South Africa Final LIVE: Deepti Sharma named Player of the Tournament!All-rounder Deepti Sharma has been named the Player of the Tournament. She shone in the final with a fifty and a five-wicket haul-and that's how the entire Women's World Cup 2025 has been for her. Deepti finished as the tournament's top wicket-taker with 22 scalps to her name, and also scored 215 runs at an average of 30.71, including three fifties.India vs South Africa Final LIVE: Had confidence in myself - Shafali"I said at the start, that God has sent me here to do something nice, and that reflected today. Very happy that we won and I cannot express it in words. It was difficult but I had confidence in myself - that if I can stay calm, I could achieve everything. My parents, my friends, my brother, everyone supported me and helped me understand how to play," said Shafali Verma."It was very important for my team and myself, and I just wanted to make my team win. My mind was clear and I worked on my plans. It is a very memorable moment," she added.India vs South Africa Final LIVE: Shafali named Player of the Match!Shafali Verma, who scored 87 off 78 and returned figures of 2 for 36 in seven overs, has been named the Player of the Match. What a turnaround this has been for her! She was playing domestic cricket when she was included in the team, replacing injured player Pratika Rawal right before the semi-final against Australia. Though she failed to make an impact in that game, she shone on the biggest stage - the final.India vs South Africa Final LIVE: Here's what Amanjot has to say -"Honestly, I don’t even know what to expect. To be here again, as a world champion, it’s unbelievable. It’s been such a recovery - from where I was a year ago to where I am now. This means a lot. You can see the crowd - they’re all around us, the energy is incredible. We’re just getting started. We’re going to take it to the next level and dominate across the world, in every moment," said Amanjot Kaur."I just want to say congratulations to everyone - my family, everyone watching in India and around the world. They’ve supported me, sitting at home, cheering, believing. They’re the ones who helped me the most. I’m so grateful we could do this together. It’s amazing. The fans have been unbelievable. This one’s for all of them - for every woman, for everyone watching, and especially for Pratika. Not everything in life is good - but there’s good in everything. I’m just grateful. Truly grateful," she added.India vs South Africa Final LIVE: A sight to behold!There is no bound to the joy of the Indian women's cricket team as they have registered a historic win here in Navi Mumbai. The players are finding it hard to hold back their tears. Even Pratika Rawal, who was ruled out of the tournament ahead of the semi-final due to an ankle injury, is out there in her wheelchair, celebrating the moment. Pure emotions on the ground!India vs South Africa Final LIVE: They have done it!Hardly anybody believed in them when India got a semi-final match against seven-time champions Australia, but they did the unthinkable. They chased down the highest target in Women's ODI history to stun the side. In the final, India outplayed South Africa by a big margin of 52 runs and clinched their first-ever title. Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. have done it.India vs South Africa Final LIVE: INDIA ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS!India Women are the World Champions! Harmanpreet Kaur’s team has etched its name in history with a commanding 52-run win over South Africa in the final. From gritty bowling spells to clutch fielding and a captain’s inspiring leadership, this triumph is the culmination of years of hard work and belief. The Women's ODI World Cup has got a new winner!India vs South Africa Final LIVE: FOUR!It was a quicker ball from Shree Charani. Nadine de Klerk jumped out of her crease and smashed it in front of square for a four. On the very next ball, the Indian spinner bowled a wide down the leg side that ran away for another four. South Africa Women need 58 runs in 32 balls.SAW 241-8 (44.4)India vs South Africa Final LIVE: India keep it tightEight runs came from the eighth over bowled by Shree Charani. South Africa Women need 70 runs from 42 balls, with the asking rate now at 10. With just two wickets remaining, it’s a steep ask. India, on the other hand, are just two wickets away from clinching their first-ever title.SAW 229-8 (43)India vs South Africa Final LIVE: OUT! South Africa eight down!Deepti Sharma has dismissed Chloe Tryon. The ball struck Tryon on the front foot, and the umpire raised his finger for an LBW appeal. Tryon opted for a review but couldn’t overturn the decision. Ball tracking showed it would have hit the leg stump on umpire’s call.Chloe Tryon lbw b Deepti Sharma 9(8)SAW 221-8 (41.4)India vs South Africa Final LIVE: OUT! Laura Wolvaardt is GONE!What a catch from Amanjot Kaur under pressure! Laura Wolvaardt is OUT, and that might be the game for India. The South Africa captain hit it high in the air. Amanjot ran in from deep mid-wicket and, despite fumbling twice, held on to the catch in the end.Wolvaardt c Amanjot Kaur b Deepti Sharma 101(98)SAW 220-7 (41.1)India vs South Africa Final LIVE: CENTURY for Laura Wolvaardt!A single, and South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt races to her century! She gets there in 95 balls. This has been a sensational knock from the opener - calm, composed, and relentless in her fight from one end.SAW 211-6 (39.5)India vs South Africa Final LIVE: Breakthrough for India!Deepti Sharma has dismissed Annerie Dercksen! She kept it full, and Dercksen was yorked as the ball went through her defence and rattled the stumps. South Africa are six down, and India regain command of the match.Annerie Dercksen b Deepti Sharma 35(37)SAW 209-6 (39.3)IND Women vs SA Women World Cup Final LIVE Score: Consecutive FOURS from Wolvaardt!Laura Wolvaardt has smashed two consecutive fours off Shafali Verma. The first one raced through extra cover, where the fielder in the deep misfielded. The second was driven wide of long-on for another boundary.SAW 207-5 (39)India vs South Africa Final LIVE: 50-run partnership!Four runs came off the over from Deepti Sharma. Meanwhile, the partnership between Laura Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen for the sixth wicket has reached the 50-run mark in 51 balls. It’s been a solid comeback from the Proteas, but India remain a nose ahead.SAW 198-5 (38)India vs South Africa Final LIVE: Eight off the overShafali Verma was brought back into the attack and conceded eight runs in the over. She started with a poor short ball, which Annerie Dercksen smashed for four towards mid-wicket. South Africa Women need 105 runs from 78 balls. They are fighting back.SAW 194-5 (37)India vs South Africa Final LIVE: CATCH DROPPED!A tough chance has been put down by one of India’s best fielders, Deepti Sharma. It was a short ball from Renuka Singh Thakur, and Annerie Dercksen pulled it hard. Deepti, stationed at mid-wicket, couldn’t hold on to the catch. A big miss for India!SAW 185-5 (35.3)India vs South Africa Final LIVE: Another tight overFour runs came off this over. Shree Charani continues to bowl tightly from one end. South Africa Women need 116 runs from 90 balls. The asking rate is 7.73. Laura Wolvaardt is batting on 85, while Annerie Dercksen is 23 not out off 19.SAW 183-5 (35)IND vs SA Final LIVE: Good fielding thereAnnerie Dercksen played the ball square off the wicket, and Jemimah Rodrigues made a brilliant save. She ran to her left from backward point and put in a dive to stop the ball. Her effort turned it into a dot ball. Four came off the over.SAW 179-5 (34)IND Women vs SA Women World Cup Final LIVE Score: Tight over from Shree CharaniShree Charani has India vs South Africa, ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025 Final Highlights: Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma delivered stellar all-round performances as India defeated South Africa by 52 runs to clinch their first-ever Women's World Cup title in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. The team secured the coveted trophy in its third attempt, having previously lost the 2005 final to Australia and the 2017 summit clash to England. In the 2025 final, Shafali scored a brilliant 87 off 78 balls, while Deepti contributed a run-a-ball 58, helping India post 298 for 7 in 50 overs after being invited to bat first. In the chase, the Proteas were bundled out for 246 despite Laura Wolvaardt's fighting century. Deepti starred with a five-wicket haul (5 for 39), while Shafali chipped in with two wickets for 36 runs. (Scorecard) Finally!!! On their third attempt, India have clinched the Women's ODI World Cup title. They lost to Australia and England in the previous two finals, but not this time. Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. have done the unthinkable. The underdogs have scripted their names into the pages of history, and their incredible feat will be remembered for ages. A new era of women's cricket begins tonight! That’s it from this space, folks! We hope you enjoyed our coverage of the game and the tournament. We sign off here, but the sporting action continues. Stay connected to NDTV Sports for more. Goodnight - and sweet dreams! "I'm just so grateful for this crowd. They have been amazing. Thank you, everyone, for supporting us through all the ups and downs. And a special thanks to my dad - I almost forgot him - our selectors, and everyone back home. Thank you so much. Even after those three losses, we always had that belief. We spoke about it after the last game - we knew this team had something special to turn things around," said India captain Harmanpreet Kaur. "Credit to every single member. They stayed positive, focused, and gave everything day and night. This team truly deserves to be here. The last two years under Amol sir, we've worked so hard. He kept reminding us that this team is capable of something extraordinary. Credit to the support staff and the BCCI for trusting us - they didn't make too many changes, they believed in this group. And today, we're standing here because of everyone who's been part of this journey - past and present. This is just the beginning. We wanted to break this barrier, and now we've done it. Our next goal is to make this consistent - to make it happen again and again. This is not the end - it's the start of a new chapter," she added. An elated Harmanpreet Kaur walks onto the podium and receives the Women's World Cup trophy from International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah. The Indian captain cannot hide her overwhelming joy as she takes the trophy from Shah and is soon joined by her teammates in celebration. The Indian players walk onto the podium and receive their winners' medals. India captain Harmanpreet Kaur then joined the presenter for a chat after that, but she couldn’t hear the questions - so loud was the crowd at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. These are the moments Harmanpreet will cherish for life. Not just her, in fact - the entire Indian women's cricket team. "Honestly, this is feeling like a dream because we have not been able to come out of that emotion. Feeling really nice I could contribute this way in a World Cup final. We have always thought about how we can use the takeaways from every match. Thanks to them (the people), this would not have been possible. As a team, we are feeling very happy," said Deepti Sharma. "I always enjoy, whichever department I am in, or whichever situation is. I wanted to play according to the situation. Enjoyed a lot. As a stage, to perform as an all-rounder, it cannot be a more amazing feeling. I just wanted to dedicate this trophy (Player of the Tournament) to my mom and dad," she added. All-rounder Deepti Sharma has been named the Player of the Tournament. She shone in the final with a fifty and a five-wicket haul-and that's how the entire Women's World Cup 2025 has been for her. Deepti finished as the tournament's top wicket-taker with 22 scalps to her name, and also scored 215 runs at an average of 30.71, including three fifties. "I said at the start, that God has sent me here to do something nice, and that reflected today. Very happy that we won and I cannot express it in words. It was difficult but I had confidence in myself - that if I can stay calm, I could achieve everything. My parents, my friends, my brother, everyone supported me and helped me understand how to play," said Shafali Verma. "It was very important for my team and myself, and I just wanted to make my team win. My mind was clear and I worked on my plans. It is a very memorable moment," she added. Shafali Verma, who scored 87 off 78 and returned figures of 2 for 36 in seven overs, has been named the Player of the Match. What a turnaround this has been for her! She was playing domestic cricket when she was included in the team, replacing injured player Pratika Rawal right before the semi-final against Australia. Though she failed to make an impact in that game, she shone on the biggest stage - the final. "Honestly, I don’t even know what to expect. To be here again, as a world champion, it’s unbelievable. It’s been such a recovery - from where I was a year ago to where I am now. This means a lot. You can see the crowd - they’re all around us, the energy is incredible. We’re just getting started. We’re going to take it to the next level and dominate across the world, in every moment," said Amanjot Kaur. "I just want to say congratulations to everyone - my family, everyone watching in India and around the world. They’ve supported me, sitting at home, cheering, believing. They’re the ones who helped me the most. I’m so grateful we could do this together. It’s amazing. The fans have been unbelievable. This one’s for all of them - for every woman, for everyone watching, and especially for Pratika. Not everything in life is good - but there’s good in everything. I’m just grateful. Truly grateful," she added. There is no bound to the joy of the Indian women's cricket team as they have registered a historic win here in Navi Mumbai. The players are finding it hard to hold back their tears. Even Pratika Rawal, who was ruled out of the tournament ahead of the semi-final due to an ankle injury, is out there in her wheelchair, celebrating the moment. Pure emotions on the ground! Hardly anybody believed in them when India got a semi-final match against seven-time champions Australia, but they did the unthinkable. They chased down the highest target in Women's ODI history to stun the side. In the final, India outplayed South Africa by a big margin of 52 runs and clinched their first-ever title. Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. have done it. India Women are the World Champions! Harmanpreet Kaur’s team has etched its name in history with a commanding 52-run win over South Africa in the final. From gritty bowling spells to clutch fielding and a captain’s inspiring leadership, this triumph is the culmination of years of hard work and belief. The Women's ODI World Cup has got a new winner! It was a quicker ball from Shree Charani. Nadine de Klerk jumped out of her crease and smashed it in front of square for a four. On the very next ball, the Indian spinner bowled a wide down the leg side that ran away for another four. South Africa Women need 58 runs in 32 balls. Eight runs came from the eighth over bowled by Shree Charani. South Africa Women need 70 runs from 42 balls, with the asking rate now at 10. With just two wickets remaining, it’s a steep ask. India, on the other hand, are just two wickets away from clinching their first-ever title. Deepti Sharma has dismissed Chloe Tryon. The ball struck Tryon on the front foot, and the umpire raised his finger for an LBW appeal. Tryon opted for a review but couldn’t overturn the decision. Ball tracking showed it would have hit the leg stump on umpire’s call. Chloe Tryon lbw b Deepti Sharma 9(8) What a catch from Amanjot Kaur under pressure! Laura Wolvaardt is OUT, and that might be the game for India. The South Africa captain hit it high in the air. Amanjot ran in from deep mid-wicket and, despite fumbling twice, held on to the catch in the end. Wolvaardt c Amanjot Kaur b Deepti Sharma 101(98) A single, and South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt races to her century! She gets there in 95 balls. This has been a sensational knock from the opener - calm, composed, and relentless in her fight from one end. Deepti Sharma has dismissed Annerie Dercksen! She kept it full, and Dercksen was yorked as the ball went through her defence and rattled the stumps. South Africa are six down, and India regain command of the match. Annerie Dercksen b Deepti Sharma 35(37) Laura Wolvaardt has smashed two consecutive fours off Shafali Verma. The first one raced through extra cover, where the fielder in the deep misfielded. The second was driven wide of long-on for another boundary. Four runs came off the over from Deepti Sharma. Meanwhile, the partnership between Laura Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen for the sixth wicket has reached the 50-run mark in 51 balls. It’s been a solid comeback from the Proteas, but India remain a nose ahead. Shafali Verma was brought back into the attack and conceded eight runs in the over. She started with a poor short ball, which Annerie Dercksen smashed for four towards mid-wicket. South Africa Women need 105 runs from 78 balls. They are fighting back. A tough chance has been put down by one of India’s best fielders, Deepti Sharma. It was a short ball from Renuka Singh Thakur, and Annerie Dercksen pulled it hard. Deepti, stationed at mid-wicket, couldn’t hold on to the catch. A big miss for India! Four runs came off this over. Shree Charani continues to bowl tightly from one end. South Africa Women need 116 runs from 90 balls. The asking rate is 7.73. Laura Wolvaardt is batting on 85, while Annerie Dercksen is 23 not out off 19. Annerie Dercksen played the ball square off the wicket, and Jemimah Rodrigues made a brilliant save. She ran to her left from backward point and put in a dive to stop the ball. Her effort turned it into a dot ball. Four came off the over. This turned out to be an expensive over from Radha Yadav. She ended up conceding 17 runs in it. Radha gave away just four singles in the first five balls, but then bowled a no-ball and things turned from there. It was a waist-high no-ball that was smashed by Annerie Dercksen for a six. On the free hit, Radha bowled in the slot and Dercksen cloberred that away for another biggie. A breakthrough for India! Deepti Sharma has dismissed Sinalo Jafta, and South Africa are now five wickets down. The mounting pressure from dot balls forced Jafta play a lofted shot, which landed straight into the hands of Radha Yadav at mid-wicket. Sinalo Jafta c Radha Yadav b Deepti Sharma 16(29) South Africa Women need 153 runs from the remaining 126 balls. The chase is getting increasingly difficult as the ball continues to grip for the Indian spinners, who are making the most of the conditions. Testing times for the Proteas! The pressure is firmly on South Africa and it can be seen on Laura Wolvaardt's strike rate, which has slowed down considerably since Shafali's two wickets. Deepti, Radha and Shafali are strengthening India's grip on the match in the middle overs. Sinalo Jafta finally breaks the shackles and picks up her first boundary of the innings. She was on 4 off 17 until that shot. The wicket-keeper batter comes down the track and drives it for 4 through the covers on the final ball of the 26th over against Radha Yadav. 25 overs done in the South African innings. The equation has got an awful lot harder for the Proteas in the last 5 overs. The required rate is now at nearly 7. South Africa need 172 runs in the final 25 overs. Not the first time this tournament that Laura Wolvaardt will have to carry the weight of South African hopes, but you get the feeling that it majorly depends on her now. She's batting on 65, and if she departs, there could be little to no hope left for the Proteas. Meanwhile, an excellent over by Radha Yadav. Just 1 run. Incredible! Shafali Verma AGAIN! The part-timer has taken 2 wickets with her first 7 balls tonight. What an inspired spell. The experienced Marizanne Kapp is gone! Ball down the leg-side, Kapp ends up edging it and a sharp catch by Richa Ghosh. South Africa lose their fourth wicket. Marizanne Kapp c Richa Ghosh b Shafali Verma 4(5) India lose their second and final DRS review of the final. Laura Wolvaardt looked to play a ball from Deepti Sharma that was angling down the leg-side. Wolvaardt missed, Richa caught. A big appeal was turned down, after which Harmanpreet Kaur went ahead with a DRS. UltraEdge shows no nick.  This is turning into a World Cup final to remember for Shafali Verma. Don't forget, she was drafted in less than a week ago to replace the injured Pratika Rawal. Today, she's not only slammed 87 with the bat, but now taken a wicket against the run of play with the ball! Shafali concedes just 5 runs in her first over. Big wicket! What a move by Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur. She turns to part-timer Shafali Verma, and she delivers a wicket with her second delivery. Sune Luus looks to nudge it straight, but ends up sending it straight back to Shafali. Caught and bowled! The partnership has been broken. Luus c and b Shafali Verma 25(31) [4s-4] 50-run partnership comes up between Wolvaardt and Luus with another firm sweep from the latter. South Africa are ticking along nicely and are almost with the required run-rate. This has been a vital partnership after the loss of two wickets in quick succession. India need to find a breakthrough soon. Sune Luus joins her captain in the boundary-scoring. After three straight dots, Luus brings out two smart shots against Radha Yadav. The first boundary is a hard slog sweep through mid-wicket, while the second is a clever lap shot that goes fine. 100 up for the Proteas! Laura Wolvaardt continues the charge, and she picks up a boundary against Shree Charani on the final ball of the 18th over. Slammed through the square-leg region. She is picking up boundaries even against the economical Shree Charani now. 50 for Laura Wolvaardt. The South African captain brings up her half-century with a boundary. She reaches the milestone in 45 balls. Tossed up by Radha Yadav, and sent to the fence by Wolvaardt. The very next ball, Wolvaardt gets a thick outside edge and the ball runs away for 4 more behind the stumps. South Africa Women need 221 runs from the remaining 210 balls, with eight wickets in hand. Laura Wolvaardt is nearing her half-century, while the new batter Sune Luus has settled in comfortably. It’s been an evenly poised contest so far. Amanjot Kaur offered width to Sune Luus, who capitalized by smashing it through the off-side for a boundary. The ball pierced the gap between backward point and deep third. So far, Amanjot has been the weak link in India’s bowling line-up. Laura Wolvaardt has set a new world record for the most runs in a single edition of the ICC Women’s World Cup, surpassing Alyssa Healy’s previous mark of 509 runs from 2022. She achieved this milestone when she reached 40 runs in the final. Shree Charani strikes just five balls into her spell! It was pitched on the stumps and turned into Anneke Bosch, who missed her flick. The ball struck her on the front foot, and the umpire raised her finger. India are back in the game! Anneke Bosch lbw b Shree Charani 0(6)  A courageous shot this is from Laura Wolvaardt. Deepti Sharma gave the ball flight and the South Africa captain jumped out of her crease to smash it over the long-on for a biggie despite a fielder there at the boundary.  A much-needed breakthrough for the Indian cricket team! A direct hit from Amanjot Kaur at the non-striker’s end has run out Tazmin Brits. She played the ball to the left of mid-wicket and attempted a quick single, but couldn’t make it to the other end in time. Tazmin Brits run out (Amanjot Kaur) 23(35) Spin was introduced into the attack with Deepti Sharma bowling her first over. She conceded seven runs, including a powerful boundary from Tazmin Brits down the ground on the fourth delivery. South Africa have now crossed the 50-run mark. Kranti Gaud was taken off the attack, and Amanjot Kaur replaced her from that end. Kaur was hit for two consecutive fours to finish her first over, making it an expensive one with 11 runs conceded. Laura Wolvaardt struck the first boundary through backward square leg, and the second through deep mid-wicket. Renuka Singh to bowled a fuller ball to Tazmin Brits on the second ball of the over and the South African opener smashed it down the ground for a six. That went for 67 metres. A total of seven runs came off the over. South Africa are starting to find runs now, having scored 14 in the last two overs. Star India batter Rohit Sharma is in attendance at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. The crowd erupted in joy as the camera panned towards him. A fuller delivery from Renuka Singh Thakur, angling into the leg stump. The ball swung in towards Laura Wolvaardt, who flicked it through square leg for a boundary. Later in the over, Tazmin Brits nearly got trapped as she played a shot straight to the fielder at silly mid-on. Kranti Gaud bowled with discipline and kept it economical, conceding just two runs in the over. The Indian pacer dragged her length slightly, which helped her keep Tazmin Brits in check and deliver four consecutive dot balls. Renuka Singh Thakur bowled an inswinging delivery to Tazmin Brits that struck the batter on the front foot. A loud LBW appeal Kranti Gaud bowled a fuller delivery to Tazmin Brits, who drove it straight down the ground for four - the first boundary for South Africa. Gaud A hint of inswing for Renuka Singh Thakur in the first over, and she kept both South African openers in check. Just a single came off the over. There’s a light dew on the ground, and India will hope it stays that way for as long as possible. Renuka Singh starts with the new ball. She begins with a fuller delivery to Laura Wolvaardt, and the South Africa captain drives it to the fielder at mid-off. Tazmin Brits is at the other end. South Africa chased down a target of 252 in a nail-biter against India in the league phase. But one bowler who did not play in that contest was pacer Renuka Singh Thakur. It will be imperative for Laura Wolvaardt and co. to tackle her new ball threat tonight. Richa Ghosh once again provided India with a boost in the late overs, smashing two sixes en route to a 24-ball 34. With those two big hits, Richa's six-tally for the tournament up to 12 - the joint-highest hit by any batter in a single edition of the Women's World Cup. West Indies' Deandra Dottin in 2013 and SA's Lizelle Lee in 2017 also hit 12 sixes in a single World Cup. India's total in this final is historic. Only Australia have posted a higher score in a Women's ODI World Cup final, and no team has ever successfully chased this many runs in the summit clash. South Africa will need to rewrite the record books to win. South Africa managed to keep things tight, and as a result, India have been restricted to under 300. It’s still a respectable total on the board, but considering the strong start, the hosts would have hoped for at least 20 more runs. The Proteas were disciplined with both their bowling and fielding, barring a few dropped catches. Deepti Sharma was run out on the final ball for her individual score of 58. Richa Ghosh is OUT! Brilliant bowling from Ayabonga Khaka. Richa tried to create room, but Khaka smartly Richa Ghosh c Annerie Dercksen b Ayabonga Khaka 34(24)  A single and Deepti Sharma races to her half-century with it. She gets there in 53 balls. This has been a mature knock from the experienced India all-rounder. This is the third fifty for the player in the ICC Women's World Cup 2025. It is worth noting that she is also the joint-highest wicket-taker this edition. This is a stunning inside out shot from Richa Ghosh. Marizanne Kapp bowled it fuller and Richa smashed it through the extra cover for a six.  46.3 – That’s a stunning reverse sweep from Richa Ghosh for four! Nonkululeko Mlaba bowled it full, and Richa timed it beautifully, piercing the gap through backward point. She’s finding boundaries with ease now. Superb batting! A fuller delivery from Nadine de Klerk, and Richa Ghosh carved it away through point for a boundary. A superb shot that adds valuable momentum to India’s innings in the final overs. A single Four from Richa Ghosh! Ayabonga Khaka bowled a fuller delivery on the leg stump, and the Indian batter expertly found the gap at cow corner for a boundary. Nine runs came off the over. India have 30 balls remaining in the innings. South Africa tighten their grip on the game with this wicket! They’ve dried up India’s runs and now picked up the wicket of Amanjot Kaur. It was a sharp return catch from Nadine de Klerk, with the ball heading to her right - close to where non-striker Deepti Sharma was standing. Deepti Sharma failed to connect a sweep shot off Nonkululeko Mlaba's delivery. The South African players appealed for LBW, but the umpire was unconvinced. The visitors went upstairs, only to find that the impact was well outside the off stump. Just two runs came off the over. Seven runs came off this over from Marizanne Kapp. On the fourth ball, Amanjot Kaur smashed a four - a boundary for India after a long gap. It was a short-of-length delivery from Kapp, and Amanjot executed a late cut to find the boundary. Seven came off the over. On the fifth ball, Deepti Sharma got a life as the player at long-on dropped a tough chance. Wolvaardt was the fielder there. She ran in from the deep and put in a forward dive, but failed to take the catch. Six runs have come off the over from Marizanne Kapp. South Africa have managed to keep things under control. India, at one point, looked all set to post a total in excess of 300, but they now need a solid partnership to get there. Harmanpreet Kaur is GONE! Tight bowling from Nonkululeko Mlaba, and she gets the reward. It was a good-length ball on the stumps. Harmanpreet misjudged the length and tried to cut it away, but ended up getting cleaned up. Harmanpreet Kaur b Mlaba 20(29) A much-needed boundary for India! Deepti Sharma swept it through long leg for four. The fine leg fielder was inside the ring, and Deepti placed it perfectly to the right of the fielder for the boundary. Eight runs came off the over. On a fuller ball from Nadine de Klerk, Deepti Sharma swung hard and missed. The ball struck her pad, prompting an LBW appeal from the South African players - and the umpire raised her finger. Deepti consulted Harmanpreet Kaur and decided to review. Replays revealed that the ball was pitched down the leg stump. A half-tracker from Nadine de Klerk, but she’s lucky that only a single came off it. Deepti Sharma pulled it toward the deep square-leg fielder. With that run, India reach the 200-run mark. They still have 90 balls left in the innings, and the hosts should now aim for a total beyond 320. Harmanpreet Kaur tapped Chloe Tryon’s delivery to point and attempted a quick single. Deepti Sharma was nearly run out in the process. The throw from backward point fielder Tumi Sekhukhune wasn’t sharp, and Deepti’s dive saved her. Marizanne Kapp bowled it in the slot, and Deepti Sharma smashed it away for a SIX! It sailed just over the ropes to give India a valuable maximum. A much-needed boundary, especially with runs having dried up over the past few overs. Just two runs have come off the last two overs. Ayabonga Khaka gave away just one run and picked up the wicket of Jemimah Rodrigues, while Marizanne Kapp Ayabonga Khaka has struck again! India’s star from the semi-final, Jemimah Rodrigues, has lost her wicket. She drove it uppishly and found the fielder at cover. The umpire checked the catch and gave it the green signal. This is a brilliant comeback from South Africa after India’s solid start. Rodrigues c Wolvaardt b Ayabonga Khaka 24(37) Harmanpreet Kaur went for a scoop shot and managed to get four runs. The Indian captain didn’t place it exactly where she intended, but the hosts will take it. Kaur moved across for the scoop, but the fuller ball from Marizanne Kapp took the out half of her bat and ran past the left of the wicketkeeper for a boundary. Another big-big wicket for South Africa! Shafali Verma is out for 87 off 78 balls. She attempted an inside-out shot over mid-off but couldn’t clear the fielder. Smart bowling from Ayabonga Khaka - she Shafali Verma c Luus b Ayabonga Khaka 87(78) Wow! That is a shot of the highest class from Shafali Verma. She missed out on a free hit but made up for it with a stunning stroke on the very next ball. Ayabonga Khaka pitched a fuller delivery outside off, and Shafali lofted it over extra cover for four. The play resumed, and Shafali Verma didn't take long to score a boundary. She jumped out of her crease on the fifth ball of the over and smashed the Sune Luus delivery down the ground for a six. The Indian opener Not a good sight for Team India! Shafali Verma appears to be struggling with her left leg - likely cramps. Play has been halted momentarily as the physio rushes in to attend to her. Let's hope she is good to continue. Despite the loss of Smriti Mandhana’s wicket, India remain in control. Shafali Verma is doing the bulk of the scoring, while Jemimah Rodrigues is supporting well at the other end. The duo has added 30 runs off 32 balls for the second wicket so far. A poor short ball from Chloe Tryon, and Shafali Verma has smashed it away for four. It was bowled on her legs, and she whipped it through square leg for an easy boundary. Powerful wrist work from the young Indian opener. Anneke Bosch has made a huge blunder here! She’s dropped the catch of the set batter, Shafali Verma. Sune Luus gave it flight, and Shafali attempted a slog-sweep. She connected with the toe-end of the bat, sending the ball high toward Bosch at deep mid-wicket. The fielder got under it but failed to hold on as the ball burst through her hands. Shafali Verma has raced to her fifty in just 49 balls! What an innings this has been from the young Indian batter. She was brought into the team as a replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal. Although Shafali didn’t have a great outing in her first game - the semi-final against Australia - she has bounced back brilliantly with a fiery fifty on the biggest stage: the ODI World Cup final. Smriti Mandhana is OUT! A huge blow for India and a much-needed breakthrough for South Africa. It was a length ball outside off-stump from Chloe Tryon. Mandhana attempted a cut shot off the back foot but got a thick edge that flew into the hands of the wicketkeeper. Smriti c Sinalo Jafta b Chloe Tryon 45(58) That’s an exquisite lofted shot over extra cover from Smriti Mandhana for four! She waited for the right length and timed it beautifully to find the boundary. That brings up the 100 for Team India. This has been a terrific opening-wicket partnership for India. South Africa have managed to put a slight check on the scoring, but the hosts still have all 10 wickets in hand with 34 overs remaining. Shafali Verma is just three runs short of her fifty, while Smriti Mandhana is looking solid on 35. That was a sensational lofted drive from Shafali Verma for a SIX! Nadine de Klerk pitched it up, and Shafali launched it straight down the ground for a 73-metre maximum. Boundaries are flowing again - India are back on track. After a quiet spell, this turned out to be a good over for India. They scored nine runs in it. Nonkululeko Mlaba gave width to Smriti Mandhana on the fourth ball of the over, and the Indian opener cut it away through the backward point region for four. Nonkululeko Mlaba gave it flight, and Shafali Verma jumped out of her crease to drive it through extra cover. There was a fielder (Dercksen) in the deep who ran across and put in a superb dive to her right to stop the boundary. Just three runs have come off the last three overs. This has been a superb comeback from South Africa. They have bowled tight, keeping both the Indian openers in check. Either a boundary or a wicket is loading.  India are off to an ideal start here. They haven’t lost a wicket and have scored 64 runs in the first powerplay. Both Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana have looked comfortable in the middle. No signs of rain since the start of the match. South Africa brought experienced player Nadine de Klerk into action, and she bowled an economical over. Smriti Mandhana smashed a four through point, but the bowler did well to concede only a single off the other five balls. Smriti Mandhana has broken the record held by Mithali Raj to become the Indian batter with the most runs in a single edition of the Women's World Cup. Mithali held the previous record with 409 runs in the 2017 edition. Spin was brought into the attack, and Shafali Verma smashed a four off the very first ball. Nonkululeko Mlaba pitched it up outside the off-stump, and Shafali drove it through the covers for a boundary. India are off to a really good start here in Navi Mumbai after losing the toss. Shafali Verma looked set from the word go, while Smriti Mandhana took her time before unleashing her shots. This is a superb opening-wicket partnership. FOUR from Smriti Mandhana! Boundaries continue to flow for India. With this one, the team has crossed the 50-run mark. India has reached the milestone in just 6.3 overs, with a scoring rate close to 8. What a start this has been so far! Two consecutive fours from Smriti Mandhana this time. The pressure is truly on South Africa now! India are scoring quickly. The hosts were off to a slow start but have shifted gears. Both Mandhana and Shafali are dealing in boundaries. Wow! That is a beautiful shot from Shafali Verma. She walked forward and drove it away for four through the covers. Shafali Smriti Mandhana gets her first boundary. There was width on offer from Marizanne Kapp and the Indian opener hit it through the off-side for a four.  A boundary and three singles came off the first over from Ayabonga Khaka. Shafali Verma didn’t have a good outing in the semi-final, but she’s looking really confident here - much like her start in the knockout game against Australia. These are promising signs for India. A fuller ball from Ayabonga Khaka, and Shafali Verma has smashed it away for four. There was width on offer, and Shafali hit it through the cover-point region for a boundary. With that, both Shafali and India are off the mark. A maiden over that is from Marizanne Kapp! Superb start in bowling from South Africa. She bowled tight lines and Smriti Mandhana didn't take any risk. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma walk into the ground, and so do the South Africa players. Mandhana takes the strike, while youngster Shafali takes the other end. Marizanne Kapp is ready with the new ball. Here we go... It’s a good-length ball outside the off-stump from Kapp, and Mandhana has played it on the front foot. A dot ball it is. Players from both sides are out in the middle for their respective national anthems. Tarryn Lamb performed the South African anthem, while Sunidhi Chauhan sang the Indian national anthem. The atmosphere is electric, and we’re less than five minutes away from the start of this historic Women's ODI World Cup 2025 final. "31 degrees right now. Dimensions - 57 and 56 meters side and 66 down the ground. We are playing smack bang in the middle. Very similar to the semi-final pitch. It's the same pitch that was used for India New Zealand game. The degree of spin is less compared to the other ground," said Mel Jones and Dinesh Karthik about the surface on offer. "We were looking to bowl looking at the overhead conditions. We will try to bat well and put up a decent score. I don't think there will be much on the pitch after 5-6 overs. We are going with the same team. We had 2 days to recover after the semis and everyone is looking forward to this game," said India captain Harmanpreet Kaur. "We are going to bowl first. Bit of rain around and there might be dew later on, hoping for a bit of slippinness early on with all the rain around. We are unchanged from the semis. Big game for us and we are really excited for the opportunity to be here and play in front of a big crowd. We are very confident," said South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt. India Women (Playing XI): Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh(w), Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur South Africa Women (Playing XI): Laura Wolvaardt(c), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta(w), Annerie Dercksen, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt has won the toss and elected to bowl against India. This is a crucial toss win for the Proteas, as any team would prefer to bowl first under overcast skies and the looming threat of rain. The conditions are expected to favor the bowlers early on, making this decision tactically sound. We are just three minutes away from the toss for the final of the Women's ODI World Cup 2025. India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt are already out in the middle, accompanied by the match officials. The atmosphere is electric as anticipation builds for this historic showdown. The Indian players are out on the field, warming up, while the South African team is currently in a huddle. The weather has improved significantly, with bright conditions and clear blue skies overhead - setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling final. Sounds like a classic case of weather-watch during a cricket match! The return of the covers despite clear skies suggests the ground staff is being extra cautious - perhaps anticipating a passing shower or just ensuring the pitch stays dry. Supersoppers still in action. The inspection at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy is complete, and we finally have a revised schedule! The toss for the India vs South Africa Women's World Cup 2025 final is now set for 4:32 PM IST, with the match scheduled to begin at 5 PM IST. With the skies clearing up, there's renewed hope that the action will unfold without further interruptions. The umpires are out there on the ground. The inspection is currently underway. They are having some discussions out there. They have now been joined captains of both the sides. Here's some good news for you, folks! The rain in Navi Mumbai has finally stopped, and the ground staff is taking the covers off at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy. What a sight for sore eyes! With the skies clearing up, there's renewed hope that the India vs South Africa Women's World Cup 2025 final might get underway soon. Fingers crossed for uninterrupted action ahead! The cut-off time for a 20-overs-a-side game in the India vs South Africa Women's World Cup 2025 final has been officially set at 9:08 PM IST. If play begins by then and the weather stays clear, we’ll get a result tonight. However, if rain disrupts the match after it starts by that time, the reserve day (Monday) will be used to complete the game. The rain briefly eased at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, but it has started pouring again, dashing hopes of an imminent toss. With the ground fully under covers, any start to the match looks highly unlikely for now. Still, the fans remain upbeat, making the most of their time in the stands with cheers and camaraderie, keeping the spirit of the final alive despite the weather. Smriti Mandhana, India's top scorer in this edition of the tournament, will be up against Marizanne Kapp, South Africa's leading wicket-taker. This clash between bat and ball could set the tone early in the innings. Laura Wolvaardt, the tournament's highest run-scorer, faces a stern test against Renuka Singh, India's potent new-ball bowler. Renuka's ability to swing the ball upfront could pose serious challenges if she nails her line and length. Kranti Gaud had dismissed Tazmin Brits during their league-stage encounter. While Gaud will look to replicate that success, Brits will be determined to counter the threat and make a strong impact in the final. Deepti Sharma and Nadine de Klerk, both seasoned all-rounders, bring balance and versatility to their sides. Their duel could be pivotal in shaping the middle overs and influencing the outcome of the match. It's official - the toss for the India vs South Africa Women's World Cup 2025 final has been further delayed due to persistent rain in Navi Mumbai. The frustration is mounting. For those wondering, there is a reserve day scheduled for Monday, which will be used if the match cannot take place today. Not the update fans were hoping for - rain has returned to Navi Mumbai, and it's pouring heavily again. The pitch is back under covers, and a further delay in the toss seems inevitable. A revised toss time will only be announced once the rain subsides. A big update from Navi Mumbai: The toss for the Women's ODI World Cup 2025 final between India and South Africa has been delayed by 30 minutes due to a wet outfield. The toss will now take place at 3:00 PM, and the match will begin at 3:30 PM. Stay tuned for all the live updates! Terrific news for the fans as the rain has stopped and the sun in shining brightly in Navi Mumbai. The covers have also been taken off and the toss is expected to take place at the scheduled time, i.e. 2:30 PM.  Ultimately, the contest will come down to which team handles the pressure better. For Harmanpreet Kaur, it could be the final opportunity to etch her name in history as the first Indian woman to lift an ODI World Cup as captain. South Africa have shown remarkable resilience through the tournament — from being bowled out for 69 against England in Guwahati to later thrashing the same opponent at the same venue, and recovering from a 97 all-out against Australia in Indore. Veteran Marizanne Kapp (204 runs, 12 wickets), Nadine de Klerk (190 runs, 8 wickets), Tazmin Brits (212 runs), Chloe Tryon (167 runs, 5 wickets) and skipper Laura Wolvaardt (470 runs) have all delivered telling performances. On a flat DY Patil Stadium surface — known for its high scores and evening dew — another run-fest could be on the cards, testing India’s fielding and bowling discipline. While India overcame Australia, the victory was far from flawless. Seamers Kranti Gaud and Renuka Singh Thakur struggled for rhythm, and even skipper Harmanpreet Kaur dropped a regulation catch. Jemimah Rodrigues became the talk of the town with her heroics in the semi-final match against Australia. While chasing 339, Jemimah played an unbeaten knock of 127 and propelled India to a five-wicket win. She will take center stage again today as India face South Africa in the final. India’s nine-run loss to England in the 2017 ODI World Cup final still lingers painfully for those who were part of that campaign, including Harmanpreet Kaur. It was “The World Cup is always special — but a home World Cup is something else altogether. I remember visiting the stadium a couple of months ago for an ad shoot and standing on the balcony thinking, ‘How amazing would it be if we win here on the 2nd?’ Now, that dream is within reach. Our focus as a team is to leave everything behind — whatever happened in the past or in the semi-final — and give 100% in the final. As players, it’s in our hands how we prepare. I know a lot of dreams across India are connected with this final, and we will try our best to make those dreams come true — because fans will live those moments through our eyes," said Smriti Mandhana.  “I’m not used to such emotions, but there were definitely positive vibes throughout the team. All the girls are in a very good space, and most importantly, everyone is helping and celebrating each other’s success. I’ve always believed that this kind of energy reflects in performance. When Australia scored over 340 in the first innings, we still believed we could chase it down — we had done it before against them. The partnership between Jemimah and Harman was unforgettable. Honestly, it’s harder to watch from inside than to play out there! But what a special effort from Jemimah, Harman, Richa, Deepti, and Amanjot — every contribution mattered," said Smriti Mandhana.  South Africa will feature in their first-ever Women's ODI World Cup final today. Laura Wolvaardt's commanding 169 powered them to 319/7 against England in their semi-final before Marizanne Kapp's career-best 5/20 sealed a 125-run win. In the semi-finals on Thursday, India defied the odds to end Australia's reign as defending champions by pulling off a record run-chase of 339 runs in Navi Mumbai. Jemimah Rodrigues scored an unbeaten innings of 127 to guide India home. Harmanpreet Kaur contributed with a vital 89. This was also the highest run-chase in the history of Women's ODI cricket. A reserve day (Monday) has been kept if no action takes due to rain on Sunday. However, if the play gets washed out on Monday as well, the trophy will be Keeping the weather forecast in mind, the organisers have put a reserve day in place. November 03 serves as the reserve day for the Women's World Cup final. Should Sunday yield no play at all, the teams must regroup on Monday to push through and crown a rightful champion. The ongoing Women's ODI World Cup faced several setbacks due to the rain. Many matches were washed out during the tournament and ahead of the final clash between India and South Africa, all eyes will be on the weather of Navi Mumbai. According to Accuweather, there's a 63% chance of rain in the city. The probability of a thunderstorm is about 13%. Intermittent rain is expected to impact the proceedings of the match, with a stop-start game expected at the DY Patil Stadium. The title clash against South Africa on Sunday will be India's third time in the Women's ODI World Cup final. India lost to Australia by 98 runs in the 2005 final and suffered a dramatic late collapse in 2017 against England to lose by nine runs.  The winner of today's match at the DY Patil Stadium will lift the coveted Women's Cricket World Cup trophy for the first time in their history. It will also be the first Women's Cricket World Cup final that will not feature Australia or England. Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 final match between India and South Africa, straight from the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. Stay tuned for all the live updates.