- For the first time, neither Australia nor England will feature in the ODI final
- India face South Africa in Navi Mumbai with history on the line
History beckons in women’s cricket as India and South Africa prepare for Sunday’s ODI World Cup final in Navi Mumbai. Both teams have defied expectations to reach this stage, with India stunning Australia in the semi-finals and South Africa overcoming past struggles against England. This guarantees a first-time champion in the tournament’s history.
India enter the final on a hot streak, having won all three of their knockout games at DY Patil Stadium, while South Africa have had more recovery time after their semi-final victory. Conditions are expected to favour the batters, though unseasonal November rains in Mumbai could influence the game, with a reserve day available.
Key players to watch include India’s Shafali Verma, who has a history of big scores against South Africa, and South Africa’s Nadine de Klerk, who has been one of the tournament’s most destructive hitters. India may fine-tune their bowling options, with Sneh Rana a possible replacement for the expensive Radha Yadav, while South Africa could adjust their line-up depending on Tazmin Brits’ shoulder fitness.
Statistical edges lie with South Africa in recent World Cup encounters, having beaten India in their last three contests. Nonkululeko Mlaba and Marizanne Kapp have consistently troubled India’s top order, while India’s Deepti Sharma has key match-ups with Laura Wolvaardt to exploit. Both teams also bring players who overcame significant barriers to shine on the world stage, adding extra meaning to the final.
Today’s final promises to be a historic encounter, with a chance to reshape women’s cricket in both countries and inspire the next generation of players.
