India scored 298 for 7 against South Africa in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 final at Navi Mumbai. Shafali Verma hit 87 off 78 balls, Deepti Sharma made 58, and Richa Ghosh added a quick 42. Smriti Mandhana scored 45 and became India’s highest run-getter in a single World Cup, breaking Mithali Raj’s record. India made a strong start but lost quick wickets in the middle overs. South Africa now need 299 runs to win their first-ever title. India’s total is the second-highest in a Women’s World Cup final. (PC: BCCI)

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur was dismissed for 20 runs, giving South Africa a crucial breakthrough in the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup Final at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. Spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba delivered a clever ball from wide of the crease, attacking the stumps. Kaur, attempting a late cut, missed completely, and the ball crashed into her wickets, leaving India at 223/4. The dismissal halted India’s strong momentum built by openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, as South Africa seeks to regain control in the high-stakes title clash.

India are three wickets down in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final against South Africa at Navi Mumbai. Shafali Verma set the stage with a brilliant 87 off 78 balls before falling short of a century. Jemimah Rodrigues added 24 before being dismissed, leaving captain Harmanpreet Kaur to take charge in the middle. Earlier, Smriti Mandhana scored 45 and broke Mithali Raj’s record for the most runs by an Indian in a single World Cup edition. Put in to bat first, India reached 171/3 in the 30th over, aiming for a strong total in the final. (PC: BCCI)

Smriti Mandhana achieved a historic milestone during the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final against South Africa in Navi Mumbai, breaking Mithali Raj’s record for the most runs scored by an Indian batter in a single edition of the tournament. Mandhana reached 416 runs, surpassing Raj’s 409 from 2017. Her blistering partnership with Shafali Verma gave India a strong start, crossing fifty runs within seven overs. While South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt remains the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 470 runs, Mandhana is closing in on the top spot. (PC: AP)

India are in a strong position in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final against South Africa at Navi Mumbai. After the Proteas chose to field, openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave India a solid start. Mandhana scored freely before getting out, bringing Jemimah Rodrigues to the crease. Shafali continued her attacking form, reaching a fifty off 49 balls. Mandhana also broke Mithali Raj’s record for the most runs by an Indian in a single World Cup edition. At 114/1 in 19.4 overs, India look steady and confident in the high-stakes final. (PC: BCCI)

Shafali Verma hit India's first six in the Women's World Cup final, lofting Nadine de Klerk over long-off with the full face of the bat. India reached 89/0 after 15 overs, with Shafali on 45* and Smriti Mandhana on 34*. The openers surpassed the highest opening partnership against South Africa in this World Cup, beating the 73-run stand between England's Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones in Guwahati. The statement shot from Shafali broke the shackles after South Africa had tightened control following India's rapid start. The terrific batting from India's opening pair continues to dominate the final at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, with South Africa struggling to contain the momentum. (PC: X)

India dominated the powerplay in the Women's World Cup final against South Africa, reaching 66/0 after 12 overs with openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma building a strong foundation. This marked India's best powerplay of the tournament with 64 runs from the first 10 overs, and only the fourth 50-run opening partnership in World Cup final history. Mandhana broke Mithali Raj's 2017 record with 416 World Cup runs and displayed sumptuous strokeplay with back-to-back boundaries. Verma showed maturity, mixing caution with aggression. South Africa introduced spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba in the eighth over and tightened control after conceding early runs, with captain Laura Wolvaardt making crucial boundary saves. Marizanne Kapp struggled after initially bowling a maiden. (PC: Reuters & Getty Images)

As India's women's cricket team reached the World Cup final after defeating Australia, the tournament highlighted broader struggles for Indian women reclaiming public space. Two Australian players were sexually harassed in Indore, prompting swift arrests but victim-blaming from BJP minister Kailash Vijayvargiya. The "Why Loiter?" campaign continues advocating for women's safe public space access, as harassment remains commonplace. Cricket offers empowerment opportunities: the Women's Premier League enables financial independence for single women like Harmanpreet Kaur and Harleen Deol, challenging marriage-centric cultural norms. Former stars Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami demonstrate independence in their 40s. Despite social media criticism telling women to "stick to the kitchen," the tournament showcases women as players, officials, commentators, and spectators reclaiming public visibility.

The Women's World Cup 2025 final between India and South Africa began two hours late in Navi Mumbai due to sharp rain spells, but no overs were lost from the 50-over contest. South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to bowl, anticipating night-time dew, revised targets possibilities, and potential pitch stickiness from prolonged covers. Both teams remained unchanged. South Africa, coming off a 125-run semi-final win over England, features deep batting with Nadine de Klerk at No. 9, the league-stage match-winner with an unbeaten 84. India, who chased a record 339 against Australia in their semi-final, selected left-arm spinner Radha Yadav over offspinner Sneh Rana, targeting South Africa's right-handed batting lineup.

Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues revealed how Rohit Sharma’s advice changed her life. Before her World Cup 2025 success, Jemimah recalled feeling low after being dropped from the 2022 squad. Rohit shared that he too was heartbroken when he missed the 2011 World Cup and said, “I was crying inside.” His words moved Jemimah to tears. He told her, “Tough times will come. Be ready when your next chance comes.” Jemimah said this advice taught her to play for the love of cricket, not to prove anything. Now, she leads India’s charge in the Women’s World Cup 2025 final. (PC: AFP)