Under the blazing lights and roaring stands at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, India's 298 for 7 in the Women's Cricket World Cup final against South Africa isn't just a score; it's a statement. After a two-hour rain delay, India was put in to bat, with Shafali Verma (87) and Deepti Sharma (58) powering the team to a competitive total. This score could very well write India's World Cup destiny, as history stands firmly in their corner.
India has turned pressure into performance throughout the tournament, overcoming a mid-tournament blip to storm into the semi-finals, where they beat seven-time champions Australia against all odds to reach their third final. On Sunday, as destiny looms large in this World Cup clash, history is on their side. India, runners-up in 2005 and 2017, are playing their third World Cup final, while South Africa are aiming to script history of their own. Neither India nor South Africa has ever won the Women's ODI World Cup.
Riding on a blistering knock of 87 from Shafali Verma, who also formed a century opening stand with Smriti Mandhana (45), a composed fifty from Deepti Sharma, and a late flourish from Richa Ghosh (34), India posted a total of 298 for 7 against South Africa in the Women's World Cup final on Sunday. It is the second-highest total by a team batting first in a Women's World Cup final, after Australia's 356 for 5 against England in 2022.
What could work in India's favor is that no team batting first has ever lost a game after posting more than 180 runs.
South Africa, however, have been a side that thrives while chasing on the big stage. Throughout this World Cup, they have remained unbeaten batting second, including a successful chase of 252 for seven against India in Visakhapatnam last month. However, the highest successful chase by South Africa in an ODI is 275 for 7, also against India, in Christchurch during the 2022 World Cup.
The opening stand of 104 between Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma set the stage for India. Verma's aggressive innings, which included seven fours and two sixes, was cut short by Ayabonga Khaka, who finished with 3-58. Deepti Sharma's steady half-century and Richa Ghosh's quickfire 34 helped India reach a challenging total.
South Africa will have to rewrite history if they are to topple India in the Women's World Cup 2025 final in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. Chasing 299, they face the challenge of overhauling the highest successful pursuit ever recorded in a World Cup final. For context, the biggest chase in a World Cup final remains England's 167 against New Zealand in 2009.
India's total of 298 for seven – built on composed half-centuries from Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma – is the second-highest score in a Women's ODI World Cup title clash.
Currently, South Africa is at 59-1 in 11 overs, with Tazmin Brits run out for 23. Amanjot Kaur's direct hit gave India their first breakthrough.
