Half-centuries from Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma helped India to a competitive 298-7 against South Africa in the Women’s World Cup final in Mumbai on Sunday.
India, put into bat in a rain-delayed match, rode an opening stand of 104 between Smriti Mandhana (45) and Verma, who top-scored with 87, to stay in the hunt for their first title in front of a packed home crowd.
Sharma hit 58 off 58 balls at the 45,000-capacity DY Patil Stadium, a venue that has produced great runs, including India’s record chase of 339 in the semi-final against Australia.
The ODI World Cup awaits a new champion and South Africa is also seeking its first crown.
Rain delayed the start of the match for two hours before South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss in her team’s first final of the tournament.
Hosts India soon took command with left-handers Mandhana and Verma hitting regular boundaries to take the attack to the opposition bowlers.
South Africa introduced a spin in the 17th over and Chloe Tyron struck in the next over with her orthodox left-arm bowling to send back a fit Mandhana, caught behind.
Swashbuckling opener Verma, who replaced the injured Pratika Rawal in the semi-final, reached fifty.
Verma survived a respite in the 56th over when Anneke Bosch took a simple catch at mid-wicket off Sune Luus, much to the delight of the Indian fans.
Medium pace bowler Ayabonga Khaka dismissed Verma when she holed out the batsman at mid-on. In the next over she bowled semi-final hero Jemimah Rodrigues, for 24, to stop India’s advance.
Sharma and captain Harmanpreet Kaur got to work rebuilding the innings, against tidy South African bowling.
Harmanpreet and then Amanjot Kaur departed as India appeared to fall behind in a high-scoring pitch, but Richa Ghosh joined Sharma, who scored 34, and the two went into bowling.
India, runners-up in 2005 and 2017, are playing in their third final.
Earlier, rain and a wet outfield delayed the draw by 30 minutes until 3 p.m. (2:30 p.m. PKT) and the start was revised to 3:30 p.m.
India have been runners-up twice, in 2005 and 2017, and reached their third final after beating seven-time champions Australia in a thriller.
South Africa women are in their first ODI World Cup final after beating four-time winners England in the other semi-final.
Speaking ahead of the decision, Harmanpreet Kaur said winning the World Cup could be a turning point for women’s football in a cricket-mad country.
“Last time, when we reached the final and came back to India, we saw a big change,” Kaur told reporters on Saturday.
“Women’s cricket moved forward and we saw a lot of girls on the field.
“So I am sure that if we win this final, we will see a lot more changes and we will see more cricket, not only at the international level but also at the national level.”
“So I think we’re looking forward to the time when we look at women’s cricket in a more serious way and see more girls (playing),” she said.
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Indian players like Kaur and Smriti Mandhana have become household names in the world’s most populous nation since the Women’s Premier League T20 tournament began in 2023.
Jemimah Rodrigues played a championship knock with an unbeaten 127 to help India reach a record 339 against champions Australia in the semi-finals.
“I think it’s a proud moment for me and the whole team,” Kaur said.
“I’m sure the whole country must be very proud of the way we’ve played the last two games and, yes, it’s a great day.”
Wolvaardt said the pressure on the home team could work in South Africa’s favor at the DY Patil stadium, which has a capacity of 45,000.
“I think with the entire crowd supporting India, probably with a sold-out stadium, it will be a very exciting opportunity,” Wolvaardt said.
“But at the same time, I think it puts a lot of pressure on them. So yeah, I think it works in our favor, hopefully.”
Only Australia, England and New Zealand have won the tournament since it began in 1973.
Kaur said a new champion will be good for the sport.
“That’s why we’re seeing more enthusiasm,” he said. “And for us to reach the final is also very special, not only for us but also for the Indian fans who have been a great support for us.”
