Navi Mumbai, November 2, 2025 - The ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025 final is reaching a thrilling climax at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, where India is battling South Africa for the coveted title. In a pivotal moment, Deepti Sharma has struck a crucial blow, taking a key South African wicket and bringing India closer to victory. With South Africa needing 5 wickets to win, the tension in the stadium is palpable.
Earlier in the day, after a rain delay that postponed the toss, India was put in to bat and posted a competitive total of 298/6 in their 50 overs. The innings was built on a solid opening partnership of 104 runs between Smriti Mandhana (45) and Shafali Verma, who top-scored with a sparkling 87. Verma's aggressive batting set the tone for India's innings, while Mandhana provided valuable support.
However, South Africa fought back, causing a wobble in the Indian middle order. Key wickets fell in quick succession, threatening to derail India's progress. But Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma steadied the ship, displaying composure and experience to rebuild the innings. Deepti Sharma went on to score a valuable half-century, contributing 58 runs and ensuring India had a defendable total. Richa Ghosh added a late spark with a lively cameo of 34, hitting a six over extra cover, providing the late momentum India were hoping for.
South Africa's chase began cautiously, with openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits looking to build a foundation. However, Renuka Singh Thakur bowled a tight opening spell, putting pressure on the South African batters from the start. Wolvaardt, however, displayed incredible form, scoring a half-century off 45 balls and subsequently reaching a century in 96 balls. She has also broken the record for most runs scored by a batter in any edition of a World Cup.
As the innings progressed, Wolvaardt continued to be the mainstay of the South African chase, but she eventually fell to Deepti Sharma after scoring 101. Sharma bowled a yorker, and Dercksen couldn't get her bat down in time and was cleaned up. The crowd erupted as India seized firm control of the final.
With the fall of Wolvaardt's wicket, the pressure is now squarely on the remaining South African batters. India needs 5 more wickets to secure their first-ever Women's ODI World Cup title. The atmosphere in the stadium is electric, with the home crowd roaring its support for the Indian team. Every ball is being keenly contested, and the match is on a knife's edge. This is anybody's game.
