South Africa Wins Toss, Chooses to Bowl
It’s all set in Navi Mumbai! South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and decided to bowl first in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Final against India at the DY Patil Stadium. The big question now — can Harmanpreet Kaur’s team script history and finally bring the trophy home?
India has reached the ODI World Cup final for the third time — after heartbreaks in 2005 and 2017. But this time, it feels different. There’s a quiet determination in the camp, and the energy in the stadium says it all — this is India’s moment to chase glory.
Harmanpreet’s Big Day: A Chance to Make History
For skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, this match isn’t just another final. It’s about legacy. A win today would make her the first Indian woman to lift an ODI World Cup as captain — a dream that’s been two decades in the making.
The team’s recent run has been nothing short of inspiring. From defeating Australia in a record-breaking chase in the semifinal to rediscovering their fighting spirit, India’s confidence is sky-high. But standing in their way is a powerful South African side, hungry for their first-ever ICC title.
What to Expect at DY Patil Stadium
The DY Patil surface is known for high-scoring games, and with dew expected later in the evening, chasing might get easier. So South Africa’s decision to bowl first could be strategic.
Fans can expect a run-fest with the likes of Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues ready to light up the stage. India’s bowlers, on the other hand, will need to stay sharp under pressure, especially against South Africa’s explosive middle order led by Nadine de Klerk.
Pressure, Passion, and Pride
This final isn’t just about numbers. It’s about redemption, pride, and the evolution of women’s cricket in India. From players once struggling for recognition to now playing in packed stadiums, this team has come a long way.
Whatever happens today, one thing’s certain — Indian women’s cricket has arrived.
Match Details
Venue: DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
Time: 3:00 PM IST
Toss: South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first
Live Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar | TV: Star Sports Network
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10:50 PM IST | November 2, 2025 | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
What a night for Shafali Verma! The young star has just etched her name into cricketing history — becoming the first-ever player to score a half-century and claim two wickets in a Women’s World Cup Final.
After lighting up the DY Patil crowd earlier with a blistering fifty at the top of the order, Shafali has now delivered with the ball too, striking twice to put India in complete control of this high-voltage clash.
Her all-round brilliance has perfectly embodied India’s fearless cricket in this tournament — aggressive, confident, and unshakably composed under pressure.
The fans are chanting her name across the stadium, and rightly so — this is a performance for the ages.
Match Update: South Africa struggling to chase 299 as India tighten their grip.
Moment of the Match (so far): Shafali Verma — 50+ runs & 2 wickets in the Final!
🕥 10:42 PM IST | November 2, 2025 | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
South Africa are fighting to stay in the chase, and Sinalo Jafta just offered a glimpse of intent! Facing Radha Yadav, Jafta confidently stepped out and met the ball on the half-volley, driving it cleanly through the off-side gap.
There was just enough room between extra cover and mid-off, and the ball raced away to the fence — a much-needed boundary for the Proteas as they look to rebuild after losing quick wickets.
India, however, remain on top, with their spinners tightening things up and keeping the required run rate under control. Every run matters now as the tension builds under the Navi Mumbai lights.
Score: South Africa W – 134/4 in 26 overs | Target: 299
India pressing hard, South Africa hoping for a partnership.
🕙 10:12 PM IST | November 2, 2025 | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
South Africa bring up their 100-run mark in the 18th over, keeping themselves in the chase of India’s challenging total of 299.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt continues to hold the innings together with a mix of grit and elegance. Facing Shree Charani, she picked up a short-of-length delivery and pulled it powerfully past Renuka Singh at deep backward square leg — a superbly timed boundary that brought up the team’s 100.
It was a confident shot, perfectly placed and executed, drawing cheers from the South African dugout. With Wolvaardt settled and the partnership steadying, the Proteas are showing fight in this final, even as India look for that crucial breakthrough to swing momentum back.
Score: South Africa W – 100/2 in 18 overs | Target: 299
Wolvaardt leading from the front in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Final.
🕘 21:47 IST | November 2, 2025 | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
Big moment for India! Just when South Africa looked to rebuild after the dismissal of Tazmin Brits, Shree Charani has made an immediate impact in her very first over.
Charani delivered a fuller one that shaped away slightly, and Anneke Bosch went for the drive — only to edge it straight to the slip fielder. Sharp reflexes, clean take, and India have their second breakthrough!
South Africa now find themselves at 62/2 after 12 overs, with both openers back in the pavilion. The pressure is firmly on the Proteas as India continue to tighten their grip on this high-stakes final.
The crowd at DY Patil roared in approval — that wicket could be a turning point in this match.
SA W: 62/2 (12 overs)
Target: India defending confidently in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Final.
🕔 05:21 PM IST | Nov 2, 2025 | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
Shafali Verma is starting to look in her element on the big stage! The young opener began the over with a cracking four off Ayabonga Khaka, confidently guiding India’s strong start in this World Cup final.
She carried that momentum into the fifth over, punishing Marizanne Kapp with back-to-back boundaries — the first, a perfectly timed cover drive that raced along the turf, and the next, a crisp flick through midwicket, showcasing her natural timing and fearless intent.
Smriti Mandhana, meanwhile, is rotating the strike smartly, adding stability at the other end. The Indian openers are off to a composed and confident start — exactly what the team needed in this high-pressure final.
🕒 17:15 IST, Nov 2 | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
Smriti Mandhana has just announced her arrival in the big final! Marizanne Kapp offered a touch of width outside off, and Mandhana wasted no time — rocking back and crunching a perfect cut shot between backward point and cover.
The timing was pure elegance, racing away to the boundary before the fielders could even move. That’s her first four of the day, and the Indian fans inside DY Patil Stadium are already on their feet.
India off to a steady start — IND W: 13/0 in 3 overs against South Africa in the Women’s World Cup 2025 Final.
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