The grand finale of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 is finally here, and what a stage it is: the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, packed to the rafters, the eyes of the cricketing world glued to a contest that guarantees a new name on the trophy. India Women take on South Africa Women in a battle where history is not just waiting to be written—it’s already in the making. Neither team has ever lifted the Women’s World Cup, so when the dust settles, a fresh chapter will be added to the annals of cricket.
For India, the journey to this moment has been a rollercoaster of emotions and relentless determination. Memories of the 2017 heartbreak—when they came agonizingly close but fell short in the final—still linger, but this squad, led by the inspirational Harmanpreet Kaur, has shown they’re ready to seize the moment. Their path to the final was cemented with a record-breaking chase against Australia in the semi-final, where Jemimah Rodrigues played an innings for the ages, smashing an unbeaten 127 off 134 balls. Harmanpreet herself chipped in with a gritty 89, and together, they scripted a win that has reverberated across the country.
South Africa, meanwhile, arrive as the perennial underdogs—yet their campaign has been a testament to resilience and belief. Knocked over for just 69 against England and 97 against Australia in the group stage, the Proteas bounced back to beat both sides at the same venues, a feat that speaks to their tenacity. Their semi-final performance was nothing short of dominant: a 125-run thrashing of England in Guwahati, powered by a complete team effort, sent them to their maiden 50-over World Cup final.
What’s at stake? Everything. The winner will become only the fourth team—after Australia, England, and New Zealand—to claim the Women’s ODI World Cup, and for South Africa, it’s a chance to make history in their first-ever final. For India, it’s a third shot at glory, having fallen short in 2005 and 2017. The anticipation in Mumbai is palpable, and the entire cricketing fraternity is watching with bated breath.
Legendary former India captain Kapil Dev, a man who knows a thing or two about seismic World Cup moments, has thrown his full support behind the Indian women. "The Indian women's cricket team has played exceptionally well against Australia. Many people compare them to the 1983 team. However, I believe such comparisons are unnecessary. The women's team is superior and plays with great intelligence," Kapil told Star Sports. He went on to praise Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership and the team’s ability to elevate the game, urging fans to appreciate the quality of cricket on display regardless of the final result. "Winning would bring more happiness. However, playing good cricket, as they have been doing, is also highly valued."
Let’s talk about the teams. India’s lineup has been forced into one significant change: opener Pratika Rawal, a revelation early in the tournament, is sidelined with an ankle and knee injury. Shafali Verma steps in to partner Smriti Mandhana at the top. The rest of the squad remains unchanged, with Harmanpreet Kaur anchoring the middle order, supported by Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh. The predicted XI for India: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Harleen Deol, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Renuka Singh Thakur, and NS Shree Charani.
South Africa, for their part, have found form and consistency at just the right time. Captain Laura Wolvaardt has been the tournament’s standout batter, amassing a staggering 470 runs in eight innings. Her partnership with Tazmin Brits at the top is a real threat, and the likes of Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, and Nadine de Klerk have delivered when it mattered most. The Proteas are expected to field a settled XI: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Karabo Meso (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Nondumiso Shangase, Ayabonga Khaka, and Nonkululeko Mlaba.
Looking at the head-to-head record, India have the edge, having won 20 out of 34 ODI encounters to South Africa’s 13. Yet, their most recent clash in the group stage saw South Africa chase down 252 to win by three wickets, with Nadine de Klerk’s unbeaten 84 off 54 balls the highlight. Clearly, this is no walkover—South Africa have shown they can rise to the occasion, and their hunger for a maiden title is unmistakable.
Both teams enter the final in red-hot form. India have won three of their last five matches in the tournament, including that unforgettable victory over Australia. South Africa, meanwhile, have won four of their last five, culminating in the demolition of England in the semi-final. The Proteas’ bowling attack, led by Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka, has been relentless, while India’s all-round strength—Deepti Sharma’s 17 wickets in the tournament stand out—gives them a slight edge, especially at home.
Key players to watch? For India, Smriti Mandhana’s elegant stroke play and experience will be crucial, as will Deepti Sharma’s ability to impact the game with both bat and ball. For South Africa, Laura Wolvaardt’s consistency at the top and Nadine de Klerk’s all-round brilliance could be the deciding factors.
Betting odds favor India, with bookmakers offering odds of 1.35 for a home win compared to South Africa’s 3.20. Predictions suggest that if India bat first, they could post 260–290 runs; if South Africa take the crease, 270–300 is the expected range. Most pundits give India a slight edge, banking on their momentum and the support of a passionate home crowd, but the Proteas’ recent form means this contest is anything but a foregone conclusion.
The match kicks off at 3:00 PM IST and will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network, ensuring fans across the globe can follow every ball. For those seeking real-time updates, live scorecards and in-depth coverage are available online, making sure no one misses a moment of this historic encounter.
As the players take the field, one can’t help but wonder—will India finally break their duck and lift the trophy after years of near-misses, or will South Africa’s dream run culminate in a fairytale finish? Whatever the outcome, the 2025 Women’s World Cup final is set to be a match for the ages, an event that will inspire generations and redefine the landscape of women’s cricket.
With legends watching, a nation’s hopes riding high, and two teams on the cusp of immortality, cricket fans are in for a treat. The stage is set, the players are ready, and soon, one team will rise to claim their place in history.
