Rain-Delayed World Cup Final Begins as South Africa Opt to Bowl Against India in Navi Mumbai

Navi Mumbai, Nov 2025 : In a much-anticipated finale to the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and elected to bowl first against India at the DY Patil Sports Academy on Sunday. The decision came after persistent afternoon rain delayed the toss by nearly two hours, pushing back the start of the championship clash. Despite the weather interruptions, no overs were lost, ensuring a full contest for the coveted title.

Both teams entered the final with unchanged playing XIs from their semifinal victories, signaling confidence in their settled combinations. The overcast conditions, coupled with a damp outfield, appeared to influence Wolvaardt’s decision to chase.

Explaining the call at the toss, Wolvaardt said the pitch looked ideal for batting second, especially with early movement on offer due to the rain. “A bit of rain around, so it just feels like a nice day to chase later with a bit of movement on offer. The surface looks pretty good, and hopefully we can get a bit of swing early on with the rain we’ve had over the last couple of hours,” she said. She added that the team was eager and energized for the occasion: “It’s a big day for us, but we’re really excited about the opportunity. It’s very special playing in front of a crowd like this, so we’ll just look to enjoy every moment.”

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur acknowledged she too would have preferred to bowl first, given the overhead conditions, but remained optimistic about setting up a strong total. According to her, the slightly sticky pitch could ease out after the initial overs. “We would’ve bowled first as well, given the weather and conditions. But it’s an important game, and somehow it feels like we’re back in rhythm. Hopefully, we can bat freely and put up a strong total on the board,” she said.

While admitting the pitch had some tackiness because of the rain, Harmanpreet predicted that the wet ball and damp outfield might reduce assistance for the bowlers as the innings progressed. “The outfield is slightly damp too, but I think after five or six overs it should settle down nicely. We’ll try to do the same things again — play with intent, stay positive, and back our plans,” she added.

The stakes could not be higher for either side. Neither India nor South Africa has won the Women’s ODI World Cup before, making this final a historic opportunity. India, however, carry a slight advantage with their past experience of reaching the finals in 2005 and 2017. The energetic home crowd in Navi Mumbai further strengthens their morale, as the team has already played three matches at this venue during the tournament. In contrast, this is South Africa’s first appearance in Navi Mumbai this World Cup, adding an extra layer of challenge in adapting quickly to conditions.

The contest promises to be a thrilling battle between India’s dynamic batting order and South Africa’s disciplined new-ball attack. As the skies began to clear and the crowd roared in anticipation, excitement surged for what could become one of the most memorable finales in women’s cricket history.

Playing XIs

India: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba