In the final match of ODI Women`s World Cup 2025 against South Africa, Team India posted 298 runs for the loss of seven wickets at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
Having put to bat first, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma delivered a strong start to the team. Facing 58 balls, Mandhana scored 45 runs, with the help of eight boundaries. Shafali played a stunning knock of 87 runs in 78 balls and her innings included seven boundaries and two maximums.
Jemimah Rodrigues, the star of the previous match against Australia, managed to score only 24 runs off 37 balls, including a boundary. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur scored 20 runs off 29 balls, which were laced with two boundaries. Amanjot Kaur returned to the pavilion after scoring 12 runs in 14 balls, including a boundary.
However, Deepti Sharma steered India`s innings, scoring 58 runs in the same number of deliveries. Her knock was laced with three boundaries and a maximum.
Richa Ghosh, too, joined the party and smashed three boundaries and two maximums. Ghosh`s knock ended with a score of 34 runs off 24 balls.
Radha Yadav stayed unbeaten on three runs after facing three balls.
Ayabonga Khaka emerged as the most successful bowler for South Africa in the final match of the ODI Women`s World Cup 2025. She bowled nine overs and claimed three wickets after conceding 58 runs. Nonkululeko Mlaba, Nadine de Klerk, and Chloe Tryon registered one wicket each.
Mlaba gave away 47 runs in her spell of 10 overs, whereas de Klerk was smashed for 52 runs in nine overs. Tryon leaked 46 runs in seven overs.
Marizanne Kapp and Sune Luus went wicketless in the final of the ODI Women`s World Cup 2025. Bowling 10 overs, Kapp conceded 59 runs, and Luus gave away 34 runs in five overs.
The world of cricket will witness the crowning of a brand new world champion in the women`s 50-over format.
India, playing its third ODI WC final, are highly motivated to ease the pain of the 2005 and 2017 final losses and secure their first-ever world title in women`s cricket.
Skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits` contributions will be crucial for South Africa in the match.
