Two Teams, One Dream: India and South Africa Eye Redemption in World Cup Final

The stage is set for the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup final, a contest between India and South Africa, two sides long defined by heartbreak, now standing just one step away from rewriting their cricketing destinies.

When they walk out at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, this Sunday (November 2, 3 PM IST), a new world champion is guaranteed. What remains to be seen is whose scars will finally heal.

For India, this has been their hardest-earned path to a final. The campaign began under immense pressure, marred by a string of defeats and the weight of home expectations. Questions dominated large after they surrendered two points despite posting 330, a familiar narrative of dominance undone by nerves.

But the hosts flipped the script spectacularly. In the semifinal, India pulled off one of the greatest chases in Women’s ODI history, toppling defending champions Australia in front of a roaring home crowd. It wasn’t just a win; it was a cathartic moment of redemption, avenging years of knockout heartbreaks.

Still, India knows that semifinal euphoria can fade fast. The 2017 final loss at Lord’s remains a painful reminder that beating Australia doesn’t always end in glory. This time, though, the team appears more balanced, battle-tested, and unafraid of reinvention.

Coach Amol Muzumdar and captain Harmanpreet Kaur have turned adaptability into a strength, fine-tuning combinations, backing youth, and finding stability in the clutch. With Smriti Mandhana in sublime form and Deepti Sharma anchoring the middle, India have stumbled upon a near-perfect XI and with it, their near-perfect game.

For South Africa, the journey has been one of redemption and defiance. From being bowled out for 69 against England and 97 against Australia, to storming into their first-ever World Cup final, the Proteas have showcased remarkable growth.

Haunted by past semifinal heartbreaks in 2017, 2022, and 2023 across formats, this team finally broke the cycle. Their emphatic win over England in the semifinal symbolized not just tactical sharpness but emotional maturity.

Under the calm leadership of Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa has combined flair and discipline. Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk have been central to their turnaround, delivering clutch performances with both bat and ball.

“This is going to be a fascinating opportunity,” said Wolvaardt. “They have the whole country behind them. That adds pressure. Hopefully, that works in our favor.”

• For the first time in history, the Women’s ODI World Cup final will feature neither Australia nor England. It’s a symbolic shift — a testament to the rise of new challengers.

The venue, DY Patil Stadium, is expected to be a sellout. A flat pitch, quick outfield, and short boundaries suggest a high-scoring contest — though rain could play spoilsport. A reserve day has been kept in place.

Head-to-Head & Key Numbers

Overall ODIs: India lead 20–13 (1 NR)

• World Cups: 3–3 — though South Africa have won the last three encounters since 2017
• Since IWC 2022–25: India leads 5–1, with the only loss coming earlier in this tournament
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Milestones on the line:

• Smriti Mandhana needs 52 runs to become the 10th woman and 2nd Indian to reach 1,000 World Cup runs.
• Laura Wolvaardt needs 73 to break into the top three all-time run-scorers in Women’s ODI World Cups.

India

A possible tweak could see Sneh Rana replace Radha Yadav, given Rana’s success against South Africa earlier this year (5/43 in Colombo). India has shown it’s unafraid to make bold, positive changes.

Probable XI:

Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Amanjot Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana/Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur

South Africa

The Proteas are likely to stick with their winning combination from the semifinal, though Anneke Bosch and Masabata Klaas remain interchangeable depending on conditions.

Probable XI:

Laura Wolvaardt (C), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Anneke Bosch/Masabata Klaas, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba