Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma star with bat and ball as India become fourth country to win Women's World Cup with victory over South Africa
By Sanjay Suri
Updated 02/11/2025 at 19:51 GMT
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Deepti Sharma inspired India towards their first Women's World Cup as they beat South Africa by 52 runs. Shafali Verma scored 87 to help her side towards 298 in front of a packed home crowd. South Africa rallied at times in the chase, anchored by Laura Wolvaardt's 101, but lost wickets at key times as Shafali took two before Deepti took five to wrap up the win.
Highlights: England's batting falters again as New Zealand sweep the series in dramatic fashion
Video credit: TNT Sports
India win World Cup for first time with win over South Africa
Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma inspired India to their first Women's World Cup after beating South Africa by 52 runs in front of a raucous home crowd.
Shafali led from the top with 87 as the hosts took control after a lengthy rain delay, but started to slow in the middle overs as Ayabonga Khaka and the other South Africa bowlers amped up the pressure.
But Deepti battled hard at the end and scored 58 to drag India to 298, a total that looked slightly below par on a good surface.
South Africa started well in the chase, but Tazmin Brits was run out for 23 to halt their momentum.
Shafali came on to bowl and took two quick wickets to give India control, but Laura Wolvaardt remained at the crease with a quick-fire fifty.
She and Annerie Dercksen dragged the Proteas back into a good position, but both were dismissed by Deepti to bring India within touching distance of victory.
The all-rounder tore through the rest of the tail to end any glimmering hope, getting her five-wicket haul to win the match as Nadine de Klerk was caught by captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
Deepti: This is feeling like a dream
"Honestly, this is feeling like a dream because we have not been able to come out of that emotion," Deepti said.
"We have always thought about how we can use the takeaways from every match.
"I wanted to play according to the situation. As a stage, to perform as an all-rounder, it cannot be a more amazing feeling.
"Laura played a very good innings. But we were always calm, and cheering each other up. As a bowling unit, we were talking about going to the last ball and to focus on our best ball, and that is what we did."
A watershed moment for women's cricket
Women's cricket has been steadily growing in popularity this decade, but this moment could be seismic.
The pictures of India, a cricket-mad country with a population of 1.4 billion people, lifting the trophy on home turf, will inspire millions of young women across the country.
This, alongside the growth of franchise cricket in India and other countries across the world, will provide a platform for the sport to grow just like football has since England won the Euros on home soil three years ago.
Amanjot: We are going to dominate all over the world in every format
Amanjot Kaur, who took the catch to dismiss Wolvaardt, said: "Everyone playing knew how important that catch was. I am so glad I got that second chance to take that catch.
"We have made history. We are going to dominate all over the world in every format.
"I am glad we could do it where it mattered the most."
India are the 2025 Women's World Cup champions
India have done it. They win by 52 runs in an absolute thriller of a match.
There are two very obvious heroes in blue out there. Shafali Verma set the tone with her 87 before taking two big wickets at a crucial time.
Deepti Sharma chipped in with 58 at the end, before cleaning up the South African lower order with five wickets and a run out to seal the victory.
Wicket! De Klerk c Harmanpreet b Deepti 18 - South Africa 246 all out
It is all down to de Klerk now. Deepti is back on. Can she get a five wicket haul to win the trophy?
And there it is! Harmanpreet takes a running catch over her head at extra cover!
Wicket! Khaka run out Deepti 1 - South Africa 246-9 need 53 runs from 30 balls
De Klerk can't sweep it past the fine leg. The run-rate crosses 12 per over.
Now she slogs into the gap on the leg side to get four crucial runs. Then a drag-down goes for five wides!
De Klerk then does brilliantly to steer the ball fine for four more. This was the big over South Africa sorely needed.
She tries to take a single last ball, but it is an excellent throw from Deepti and Khaka is just short and India are one wicket away!
South Africa 232-8 (de Klerk 10, Khaka 1) need 67 runs from 36 balls
De Klerk gets a single at square leg. What must be going through her head right now?
Khaka gets a leading edge which Thakur can't gather! Next ball, de Klerk skies it to Rodrigues who puts down a simple chance!
The pressure is getting to everyone here. In all the drama, it is a tight over from Thakur.
South Africa 229-8 (de Klerk 8, Khaka 0) need 70 runs from 42 balls
De Klerk skies one, but it lands safely for two. However, the next sweep goes for four!
Ayabonga Khaka is the other batter in. Charani has overstepped so she will have a free-hit here. Swing and a miss.
Khaka is really struggling to pick the spinner. Four dots to end the over.
South Africa 221-8 (de Klerk 1, Khaka 0) need 78 runs from 48 balls
De Klerk will need to produce some heroics if South Africa want to win this. Deepti Sharma has just changed the game in one over.
Wicket! Tryon lbw b Deepti 9 - South Africa 221-8 need 78 runs from 50 balls
No bat involved, is it going down leg?
It's umpires call! Tryon will have to go.
South Africa review for lbw
Nadine de Klerk, who spearheaded South Africa's victory over India in the group stage, is in now. Huge appeal for lbw first ball isn't given and India are out of reviews!
Another appeal against Tryon and this one is given! Tryon reviews though.
Wicket! Wolvaardt c Amanjot b Deepti 101 - South Africa 220-7 need 79 runs from 53 balls
Wolvaardt goes big, but there's someone in the deep!
After a bit of juggling, Amanjot takes the catch and that could well be the match!
South Africa 220-6 (Wolvaardt 101, Tryon 9) need 79 runs from 54 balls
Tryon strikes at over 150 at the death. She needs to do something similar tonight, but can't rotate the strike at the moment.
But she gets a square drive through for four! This is so, so tense.
Required rate is now just under nine an over.
South Africa 211-6 (Wolvaardt 100, Tryon 1) need 88 runs from 60 balls
Next in is Chloe Tryon. She has provided useful runs in this tournament but South Africa need her now.
Wolvaardt gets a single on the leg side to bring up her century. It's back to back hundreds on the biggest stage but very muted celebrations given the job still on hand.
Wicket! Dercksen b Deepti 35 - South Africa 209-6 need 90 runs from 63 balls
A couple of singles. Wolvaardt is on 99.
Deepti fires in a yorker that sneaks under Dercksen's bat and that is a huge breakthrough!
South Africa 207-5 (Wolvaardt 98, Dercksen 34) need 92 runs from 66 balls
Every over, the momentum swings back and forth. Now Shafali is keeping things tidy.
But Wolvaardt drives through cover and it slips through two fielders for four! A rare misfield. She then attacks on the leg side for four more!
South Africa 198-5 (Wolvaardt 90, Dercksen 33) need 101 runs from 72 balls
Dercksen is still plugging away. Wolvaardt is scratching her way into the nervous 90s.
The 50 partnership has come up. Can these two keep going? South Africa are still in this
South Africa 194-5 (Wolvaardt 88, Dercksen 31) need 105 runs from 78 balls
Shafali returns to the attack. She has been instrumental at key phases, can she do it again?
Her first ball is loose though and Dercksen pulls for a boundary - the first in four overs.
Just dots and singles for the rest of the over though.
South Africa 186-5 (Wolvaardt 86, Dercksen 25) need 113 runs from 84 balls
Again, aggressive fielding by India restrict6s South Africa to just a single. Dercksen pulls to short midwicket but it's put down! Deepti Sharma should have gathered that.
The required rate is now over eight an over.
South Africa 183-5 (Wolvaardt 85, Dercksen 23) need 116 runs from 90 balls
Dercksen wants a change of gloves. Charani is still getting lots of spin in her miserly spell.
Another tidy over. Barring those back-to-back sixes, South Africa haven't threatened to score boundaries.
South Africa 179-5 (Wolvaardt 83, Dercksen 21) need 120 runs from 96 balls
Thakur is back as Harmanpreet opts for pace. It's a good over, backed up by good fielding so far as the boundaries elude the Proteas.
Just four conceded.
South Africa 175-5 (Wolvaardt 81, Dercksen 19) need 124 runs from 102 balls
That second six was 84 metres - the biggest of the entire World Cup.
Charani will hope to turn the screw here but a misfield allows a cheap single. Wolvaardt is really struggling for rhythm out there.
South Africa 173-5 (Wolvaardt 80, Dercksen 18) need 126 runs from 108 balls
Yadav returns. Wolvaardt still can't find the boundary.
But a full toss off the final ball is hoicked over cow corner for six by Dercksen! It will be a no ball too.
And Dercksen sends the free-hit for six too! Huge moment in the match.
South Africa 156-5 (Wolvaardt 78, Dercksen 4) need 143 runs from 114 balls
These ten overs have been pivotal. The runs have completely dried up and triggered a few wickets.
Dercksen and Wolvaardt are running hard to squeeze as many runs as possible out of this over as the boundaries just aren't coming.
South Africa 150-5 (Wolvaardt 75, Dercksen 1) Overs bowled: 30, Target 299
Annerie Dercksen comes in at seven. She starts with a quick single.
Wolvaardt only faced 15 of the 44 balls in that 25-run partnership. A lot needs to improve there.
Wicket! Jafta c Rana b Deepti 16 - South Africa 148-5 (28.3 Overs)
Quick single! But Wolvaardt just makes her ground. That's what pressure does to you.
And Jafta cloths a shot straight to short midwicket and South Africa are five down.
South Africa 146-4 (Wolvaardt 73, Jafta 15) Overs bowled: 29, Target 299
Shafali is back on. Jafta is really struggling to get her away and is starting to take more risks.
Who will blink first?
South Africa 141-4 (Wolvaardt 72, Jafta 11) Overs bowled: 28, Target 299
Another spell for Deepti now. Just three runs conceded.
There are far too many dots for South Africa's liking.
South Africa 138-4 (Wolvaardt 70, Jafta 10) Overs bowled: 27, Target 299
Charani is back on for Shafali and beats Wolvaardt straight away. She then floats an absolute beauty that tempts Jafta and beats the outside edge.
One sticks in the surface but Wolvaardt's edge lands safe.
South Africa 134-4 (Wolvaardt 68, Jafta 8) Overs bowled: 26, Target 299
Both batters are eager to use their feet against Yadav, and Jafta finally finds a way through.
She drives for four off the last ball to ease some of the pressure.
South Africa 127-4 (Wolvaardt 66, Jafta 3) Overs bowled: 25, Target 299
The dots are building up as the run rate creeps towards seven an over.
Wolvaardt has been starved of the strike as of late, and misses the chance to punish a loose delivery.
South Africa 125-4 (Wolvaardt 65, Jafta 2) Overs bowled: 24, Target 299
Radha Yadav is back on. The pressure on Wolvaardt's shoulders is increasing over by over but, crucially, she is still there.
Jafta is really struggling for runs here. She gets a single off the final ball but is on two off 11 deliveries.
South Africa 124-4 (Wolvaardt 65, Jafta 1) Overs bowled: 23, Target 299
Is that the turning point? Shafali now has two wickets to add to her 87 in the first innings.
New batter Sinalo Jafta takes a single off the final ball to get off the mark.
Wicket! Kapp c Ghosh b Shafali 4 - South Africa 123-4 (22.1 Overs)
Shafali pulls one down leg and Kapp gets an edge! It's taken by Ghosh and the finger goes up! All of a sudden, India are completely on top and it is another soft dismissal.
South Africa 123-3 (Wolvaardt 65, Kapp 4) Overs bowled: 22, Target 299
The singles keep coming. South Africa are only six runs behind where India were at this stage, but have lost two extra wickets too.
Not out
Looks safe, there is a flat line as the ball passes the bat. A wasted review.
What's worse is that India are now out of reviews.
India review for caught behind
Richa Ghosh thinks there's an edge here. She's adamant and Harmanpreet sends it upstairs!
South Africa 118-3 (Wolvaardt 63, Kapp 2) Overs bowled: 21, Target 299
Oh Sune Luus, what have you done? She was batting so well but that is a very soft dismissal.
Marizanne Kapp joins Wolvaardt in the middle. These two were the pair who steered South Africa towards victory over England.
They start by exchanging singles throughout the over.
Wicket! Luus c and b Shafali 25 - South Africa 114-3 (20.2 Overs)
Another change in bowler, and it is India's top scorer Shafali Verma with ball in hand.
And Luus has chipped it straight back to her! What a gift!
South Africa 113-2 (Wolvaardt 59, Luus 25) Overs bowled: 20, Target 299
South Africa are two runs behind where India were at this stage. Deepti is back.
It's another sweep from Luus for four which brings up the 50 partnership. India need to change something up here.
South Africa 109-2 (Wolvaardt 59, Luus 21) Overs bowled: 19, Target 299
Luus shapes to scoop, but has to change tact halfway through and defends. Three balls later, she pulls out the sweep and finds the gap for four.
She then paddles a sweep very fine for back-to-back boundaries. Once again, South Africa are starting to take control of the chase.
South Africa 100-2 (Wolvaardt 59, Luus 12) Overs bowled: 18, Target 299
Charani has been the pick of the bowlers by far so far and she continues to test Luus.
But just like the last over, she strays down leg with the final ball and Wolvaardt sweeps for a boundary!
South Africa 95-2 (Wolvaardt 55, Luus 11) Overs bowled: 17, Target 299
Radha Yadav comes into the attack. Wolvaardt slaps a full toss which squrims through the cow corner fielder to bring up her half-century - the fifth time she's reached that milestone this tournament.
The next ball is more fortunate as she edges for four past Ghosh, but runs all the same.
South Africa 84-2 (Wolvaardt 47, Luus 9) Overs bowled: 16, Target 299
Sune Luus strikes at 110 against spin so far this World Cup. She, too, has an important role to play today.
It is a good over from Charani before she strays onto Wolvaadt's pads who sweeps for four.
South Africa 78-2 (Wolvaardt 43, Luus 8) Overs bowled: 15, Target 299
Wolvaardt and Luus have a little chat, and Luus cuts for four next ball. Wonder what was said.
Good over from South Africa as Amanjot struggles to find her mark. That will be drinks.
South Africa 71-2 (Wolvaardt 42, Luus 2) Overs bowled: 14, Target 299
Charani continues and South Africa are struggling to read her.
Just two from it.
South Africa 69-2 (Wolvaardt 41, Luus 1) Overs bowled: 13, Target 299
Wolvaardt powers away a four off Amanjot, who returns to the attack after her fielding heroics. She then finds a single to set the record for the most runs by a batter in a single Women's World Cup campaign.
She will not care about that record at the moment as she exchanges singles with Luus. Only one job on the captain's mind.
South Africa 62-2 (Wolvaardt 35, Luus 0) Overs bowled: 12, Target 299
Sune Luus is the new batter in, and there are halfhearted appeals for lbw first ball, even though she got a massive edge.
Wicket! Bosch lbw b Charani 0 - South Africa 62-2 (11.4 Overs)
Sree Charani is on now, so it is spin at both ends. India's fielding has been magnificent so far. Wolvaardt tries to find the gap on the leg side but Radha Yadav saves the boundary.
Bosch is trapped in front and it is given! That ends a difficult day and tournament and South Africa are two down.
South Africa 59-1 (Wolvaardt 32, Bosch 0) Overs bowled: 11, Target 299
Wolvaardt goes down the ground, and clears the fielder and boundary for six! She is even more key to this chase now.
Bosch has just 35 runs this tournament. Can she find some form when her country needs it most?
South Africa 52-1 (Wolvaardt 25, Bosch 0) Overs bowled: 10, Target 299
In comes Anneke Bosch, who will want to make amends for a couple of dropped catches earlier.
It was South Africa's powerplay, until that world-class run out.
Wicket! Brits run out Amanjot 23 - South Africa 51-1 (9.3 Overs)
Thakur has changed ends now. Brits tries to sneak a single and it is a direct hit from Amanjot! That is a fantastic throw from Amanjot with one stump to aim at.
Brits was just getting going but she has to go. India wrestle back control of the chase.
South Africa 51-0 (Wolvaardt 24, Brits 23) Overs bowled: 9, Target 299
Harmanpreet Kaur turns to Deepti Sharma, the joint highest wicket taker this tournament. Brits nearly gets Wolvaardt run out at the non-striker's end, but the skipper gets her bat back down in time.
Brits then skips down the track and drives for four to bring up the 50 partnership.
South Africa 44-0 (Wolvaardt 23, Brits 17) Overs bowled: 8, Target 299
Brits started very slowly but that six looks to have released the shackles a bit. Amanjot Kaur is on to bowl now.
Wolvaardt pounces on a drag-down to flick to the vacant fine leg boundary for four more. She then goes over cow corner for four more.
South Africa 33-0 (Wolvaardt 15, Brits 14) Overs bowled: 7, Target 299
Brits clears her front foot and drives Thakur over her head. She gets enough on it to clock up the first six of the innings.
Thakur recovers nicely though and concedes only seven.
South Africa 26-0 (Wolvaardt 15, Brits 7) Overs bowled: 6, Target 299
That's better from Wolvaardt. She swivels nicely to put a short ball away for four at midwicket.
She and Brits use the gaps well to pick up some ones and twos. Solid start.
South Africa 18-0 (Wolvaardt 8, Brits 6) Overs bowled: 5, Target 299
The win predictor puts it at 65% in India's favour. Given the nature of the pitch, I think it's a lot more even than that.
The pressure is building and something has to give. Wolvaardt is the first to blink and plays an agricultural shot across the line, but it runs for four!
Brits then chips it back straight, but Jemimah Rodrigues, at a very straight silly-mid-on, watches agonisingly as it falls short.
South Africa 12-0 (Wolvaardt 3, Brits 6) Overs bowled: 4, Target 299
India have started really well with the ball, but South Africa are making sure they find singles to keep the run rate in check.
Kranti continues to be miserly, conceding just two runs in that over.
South Africa 10-0 (Wolvaardt 2, Brits 5) Overs bowled: 3, Target 299
This has been a very testing over from Thakur, who has given away nothing since the wide first ball.
Brits does manage to grab a single off the last ball to keep strike.
Not out
I reckon this has done too much. No bat involved.
Here comes ball tracking, and it is just missing leg stump by a whisker! Too much swing.
India review for lbw
Wayward from Thakur, but Richa Ghosh does well to get a hand on it to prevent five wides.
She then strikes Brits on the pad but it's doing too much. Next ball is the same story, but it looks a bit closer so India review!
South Africa 7-0 (Wolvaardt 2, Brits 4) Overs bowled: 2, Target 299
Kranti Gaud opens from the other end. Wolvaardt is looking aggressive but cannot find the gaps yet.
But Kranti goes too full to Brits who doesn't miss out and drives down the ground for four.
South Africa 1-0 (Wolvaardt 1, Brits 0) Overs bowled: 1, Target 299
Steady start from South Africa. Wolvaardt gets some width fourth ball and cuts to the sweeper for a single.
Thakur won't mind that start either.
Match underway!
Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits are out in the middle. Can these two set up a platform for the lower order to take advantage of?
Renuka Singh Thakur will open for India, will she get some swing?
Here comes the first ball... and Wolvaardt drives to mid-off.
Second innings nearly underway
India are out warming up as the second innings is about to start. Dew will be a key factor as night approaches in Navi Mumbai, and Laura Wolvaardt will be hoping it vindicates her toss decision.
Deepti Sharma and Nallapureddy Shree Charani will be key for India as the spin pair have taken 30 wickets between them this tournament.
As for South Africa, they have several dangerous batters, including tournament top scorer Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp, playing in her last World Cup game for the Proteas.
South Africa need 299 runs to win the Women's World Cup
It is the second-highest total in a Women's World Cup, but South Africa will go into the innings break the marginally happier team.
Everyone got starts for India, who were brilliantly set after Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma put 104 on for the opening partnership.
Despite keeping wickets in the bank, the hosts never fully accelerated as they targeted a big finish.
Deepti Sharma's late 50, alongside some quick runs from Richa Ghosh kept India within touching distance of the magic 300 mark.
Ayabonga Khaka was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets after recovering from a difficult first spell, while Nonkululeko Mlaba's tidy spell in the middle overs kept India in check.
Innings break! India 298-6 (Deepti 58, Yadav 3) Overs bowled: 50
De Klerk will close the innings out for South Africa. Radha Yadav comes out to bat for the first time in the tournament.
The first five balls are just singles. Yadav is on strike for the final ball too.
She drops her bat and gets a single before Deepti gets run out going for a second that was never on.
South Africa will need 299 runs to lift the Women's World Cup for the first time.
Wicket! Ghosh c Dercksen b Kapp 34 - India 292-6 (49 Overs)
Khaka to bowl the penultimate over. I feel 300 is such a psychological blow if India can get there.
That will help! Deepti adds four more over cover.
Ghosh targets the leg side on the final ball but this time it is taken by Dercksen!
India 286-5 (Deepti 50, Ghosh 33) Overs bowled: 48
Marizanne Kapp is back for her final over in World Cup cricket.
After a couple of dots, Ghosh goes over extra cover and the fielder on the boundary can only watch it sail over the rope!
Deepti grabs a single to get her half century, but there is still a job to do.
Next ball, Ghosh is dropped by Bosch on the boundary! An eventful over.
India 277-5 (Deepti 49, Ghosh 25) Overs bowled: 47
Mlaba is back for her final over now. Kapp watches the spin well after another Deepti sweep to prevent a boundary.
Outstanding! Ghosh reverse-sweeps for four into the gap on the off side.
Mlaba finishes with 1-47 from her 10 overs. Economical at a crucial time
India 268-5 (Deepti 47, Ghosh 18) Overs bowled: 46
This is really smart bowling from de Klerk, and she is being backed up by her fielders too. Ghosh cannot get away the yorkers.
But one is just too short and Ghosh chips it over the ring on the off side for four. It's still only six off the over though
India 262-5 (Deepti 46, Ghosh 13) Overs bowled: 45
Khaka is back with three overs left in her allocation. Just singles throughout the over.
However, Ghosh pierces the gap between the two boundary riders to end the over with a four.
India 253-5 (Deepti 43, Ghosh 7) Overs bowled: 44
Ghosh is in now, and wastes absolutely no time in getting started, leathering a six over extra cover with her second ball.
De Klerk recovers well to restrict India to eight off the over.
Wicket! Amanjot c and b de Klerk 162- India 245-5 (43.1 Overs)
De Klerk returns and Amanjot chips the ball straight back up to the bowler who takes the catch!
The only danger was if Deepti got in the way but de Klerk managed to get around her and gather.
India 245-4 (Deepti 42, Amanjot 12) Overs bowled: 43
Deepti sweeps Mlaba but can't find the boundary. Amanjot then struggles to get the ball away and the dots build up.
South Africa appeal for lbw off the final ball and send it upstairs. No bat involved, but the impact was outside the line.
India 243-4 (Deepti 41, Amanjot 11) Overs bowled: 42
Here's Kapp's penultimate over. She has not been at her best today, but still has a big job to do.
Amanjot manages to squeeze a four through a gap behind point to keep India ticking.
India 236-4 (Deepti 39, Amanjot 6) Overs bowled: 41
The pitch has been very tacky, perhaps why so many shots have popped up for chances more often than you would expect.
Deepti goes up and over, but doesn't get enough on it. Woolvardt comes diving forward but can't gather as it falls just short!
India 229-4 (Deepti 36, Amanjot 2) Overs bowled: 40
Kapp returns. South Africa are going for the kill.
Amanjot Kaur is in for India at six, with Richa Ghosh being held back.
Deepti drives over Kapp who gets fingertips to the ball but can't gather! Tantalisingly out of reach there.
Wicket! Kaur b Mlaba 20 - India 223-4 (39 Overs)
Mlaba is back into the attack. She has been so hard to get away all tournament and has four big overs to keep things tidy for South Africa.
And with her final ball, she cleans up Kaur! The Indian captain tried to cut but she missed and Mlaba hit!
India 219-3 (Deepti 31, Kaur 19) Overs bowled: 38
Deepti is putting her foot down now, and gets four more over midwicket with another trademark slog sweep.
Dercksen nearly takes out Wolvaardt with her throw but the skipper ducks just in time!
India 211-3 (Deepti 25, Kaur 17) Overs bowled: 37
De Klerk might not have bagged a wicket and Deepti punishes her with the final ball, sweeping over backwards square leg for four.
That boundary was needed.
Not out
Has it pitched in line? It looks like Deepti might be safe here.
Ball tracking comes up and it has pitched outside leg! Deepti survives.
India review for lbw
Big, big appeal from de Klerk for lbw and it's been given! Deepti sends it upstairs.
India 203-3 (Deepti 19, Kaur 15) Overs bowled: 36
Tryon has come back on as Wolvaardt will need to start calculating who can bowl when in the final stages.
Good over - just three conceded.
India 200-3 (Deepti 17, Kaur 14) Overs bowled: 35
Dropped catch aside, South Africa have been excellent in the field, especially with their ground fielding to stem the flow of boundaries.
India bring up the 200 with 15 overs to go. They have to get at least 300 surely.
India 195-3 (Deepti 15, Kaur 12) Overs bowled: 34
Kaur and Deepti try a quick single and just about get there in time. Kaur then finds four on the off side.
India have come out strongly after the drinks break.
India 185-3 (Deepti 11, Kaur 6) Overs bowled: 33
Here goes Deepti... she slogs across the line for six over midwicket to relieve some pressure.
Better from India, who rotate the strike for the rest of the over to take 10 more runs.
India 175-3 (Deepti 3, Kaur 4) Overs bowled: 32
For the first time this match, South Africa feel like slight favourites. Deepti and Kaur can't rotate the strike as fluently so far.
Just two off the over.
India 173-3 (Deepti 2, Kaur 4) Overs bowled: 31
Kapp continues for her sixth. With two new batters at the crease, can South Africa build some dot ball pressure?
Deepti and Kaur struggle to get Kapp off the square.
India 172-3 (Deepti 1, Kaur 4) Overs bowled: 30
In comes Deepti Sharma. She certainly knows how to finish an innings.
Khaka closes the over out brilliantly. Just one run and a wicket.
Wicket! Rodrigues c Wolvaardt b Khaka 24 - India 171-3 (29.4 Overs)
Rodrigues drives Khaka but it falls short. This has been a much better second spell from the seamer.
Two balls later, she drives to extra cover and I think this one has carried! Yes it has!
India 171-2 (Rodrigues 24, Kaur 4) Overs bowled: 29
Kapp is back for South Africa. Kaur shapes up for the scoop and clips it over the wicketkeeper for four to get off the mark.
India can't slow down here.
India 166-2 (Rodrigues 23, Kaur 0) Overs bowled: 28
Here comes the skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur. She blocks the first ball.
Wicket! Shafali c Luus b Khaka 87 - India 166-2 (27.5 Overs)
India are going at exactly six an over right now. Singles are coming easily but boundaries less so.
Shafali drives to mid-off uppishly but it falls short.
She tries to go over again but this time it carries to Luus and Shafali has to go!
India 162-1 (Rodrigues 21, Shafali 85) Overs bowled: 27
Mlaba has bowled very nicely today, giving little away, but hasn't found a breakthrough.
Four more off the over.
India 158-1 (Rodrigues 19, Shafali 83) Overs bowled: 26
Khaka is back into the attack as South Africa look to break this partnership which already looks dangerous.
She starts well but oversteps to give Shafali a free hit. Khaka goes full and wide and Shafali leaves it but it is a legal ball!
Shafali doesn't miss out next ball and goes over extra cover for four.
India 151-1 (Rodrigues 18, Shafali 78) Overs bowled: 25
The match is starting to get away from South Africa here. There is a brief pause as Shafali looks to be struggling with cramp.
She's not struggling at all a couple balls later as she comes down the track for her second six of the match.
India 140-1 (Rodrigues 17, Shafali 68) Overs bowled: 24
Rodrigues is so good at rotating strike. She has gotten into double figures without really trying and is keeping India ticking.
Six runs off the over - all singles.
India 134-1 (Rodrigues 14, Shafali 65) Overs bowled: 23
Five more singles for India. Exactly what they need.
India 129-1 (Rodrigues 11, Shafali 63) Overs bowled: 22
Lovely pivot from Shafali to work a four over square leg. She is ready to punish South Africa for that drop.
India seem unaffected by that Smriti wicket so far.
India 121-1 (Rodrigues 8, Shafali 58) Overs bowled: 21
Rodrigues continues going about her work from the other end, driving a full ball for her first boundary.
The score predictor currently says 321. A high score, but chasable on this track.
Shafali dropped on 56
Shafali skies it into the leg side. Bosch is circling and gets under it.
But she drops it, to huge cheers from the partizan crowd! What a big moment this could be.
India 114-1 (Rodrigues 3, Shafali 56) Overs bowled: 20
Tryon continues and Shafali gets a tickle down leg to get two more.
Other than that it is a very tidy over and this match is very delicately poised once more.
India 111-1 (Rodrigues 3, Shafali 53) Overs bowled: 19
Shouts of catch as Rodrigues chips upwards but safely past midwicket.
Five off the over as the two just rotate strike.
India 106-1 (Rodrigues 1, Shafali 50) Overs bowled: 18
Here comes Jemimah Rodrigues at three, the hero of the semi-final.
She gets a single first ball. Can Shafali get to 50 now?
Yes she can! What a fantastic half-century on the big stage, can she ton up now?
Wicket! Smriti c Jafta b Tryon 45 - India 104-1 (17.4 Overs)
Chloe Tryon is on now and Smriti goes on the attack, getting a four and a two to move to 45.
She tries to cut to third again, but gets a thin edge and it is caught behind! Breakthrough!
India 97-0 (Smriti 39, Shafali 48) Overs bowled: 17
Change of bowler: Sune Luus is on. Shafali is on strike on 47.
Once again, she uses her feet and drives straight, but de Klerk cuts off the boundary, and it's just one run.
Smriti then gets on one knee and sweeps over the leg side for four. Excellent shot.
India 92-0 (Smriti 35, Shafali 47) Overs bowled: 16
Mlaba is bringing South Africa back into this game with a very tidy spell.
Just three from the over and that will be drinks.
India 89-0 (Smriti 34, Shafali 45) Overs bowled: 15
Shafali skips down the ground and goes over the top for a straight six - the first of the day.
She is racing towards a half-century and this has been a dream start for the home side.
India 80-0 (Smriti 33, Shafali 38) Overs bowled: 14
Shafali skips down and drives through the gap, but Annerie Dercksen dives on the boundary to save two runs and keep the pressure up.
However, Smriti uses the width on offer to place a cut fine of point to get a much-needed boundary.
India 71-0 (Smriti 28, Shafali 35) Overs bowled: 13
Both times India played a full match at this stadium this tournament, they passed 330. Despite the fast start, South Africa know this track will naturally suit the batters.
Five from the over as India manage to rotate the strike better.
India 66-0 (Smriti 27, Shafali 31) Overs bowled: 12
Another cautious over from Smriti and Shafali as Mlaba amps up the pressure.
South Africa need to break this partnership though, even if the runs have dried up.
India 65-0 (Smriti 27, Shafali 30) Overs bowled: 11
It seems like it was a good toss to lose for India so far. The ball looks to be doing little, having made many forays across the damp outfield.
The extra fielders allowed outside the circle are suiting South Africa, who are starting to wrestle back control.
India 64-0 (Smriti 27, Shafali 29) Overs bowled: 10
Blue skies above Mumbai now. Let's hope that holds. Mlaba manages to beat Smriti's bat for the first time as she starts her over well.
Much better from South Africa but India's powerplay through and through.
India 63-0 (Smriti 27, Shafali 28) Overs bowled: 9
South Africa just need a boundary-free over right now. Here comes Nadine de Klerk to try and instigate that.
However, Smriti finds the rope with another brilliant drive. The rest of the over is pretty tidy from de Klerk.
India 58-0 (Smriti 23, Shafali 27) Overs bowled: 8
Nonkululeko Mlaba comes into the attack and is immediately hit for four by Shafali. Laura Wolvaardt produces a great chase and dive and saves two, even though her body language suggested she didn't quite save the boundary.
Another productive over for India.
India 51-0 (Smriti 21, Shafali 22) Overs bowled: 7
India are finding the gaps beautifully, rotating strike when boundaries are not on offer. Smriti then flicks off her pads for four to bring up the team's fifty in style.
Six more runs added off that over.
India 45-0 (Smriti 16, Shafali 21) Overs bowled: 6
Khaka is getting much more swing than her teammate, nearly three degrees, but hasn't found consistency yet, shown as Smriti steers the ball past point for four before crunching a drive through the covers.
Shafali gets lucky now as she skips down the track and misses, but the keeper also cannot gather and it is five wides.
India 31-0 (Smriti 7, Shafali 21) Overs bowled: 5
Lovely drive! Kapp errs too full and Shafali punishes for four more. Kapp then overcorrects and strays straight, and Shafali clips onto the leg side for another boundary.
Kapp recovers well but it is another productive over for India.
India 22-0 (Smriti 6, Shafali 13) Overs bowled: 4
Shafali uses the line well to flick over backwards square for four more. Wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta has come up to the stumps in response.
Runs are coming a little too easily for South Africa's liking as Smriti and Shafali rotate strike. Nine off the over.
India 13-0 (Smriti 5, Shafali 6) Overs bowled: 3
Kapp finds some outswing to start the over, but Shafali drives well and it is well stopped by Nonkululeko Mlaba at mid-off.
Smriti finds the gap now and gets her first four of the match with a well-placed cut past point.
India have started well.
India 7-0 (Smriti 1, Shafali 5) Overs bowled: 2
Ayabonga Khaka to open from the other end, and Shafali Verma drives for four first ball. Listen to the roar of the crowd!
Every run is being cheered on as Khaka starts a bit wayward and Smriti gets off the mark too.
India 0-0 (Smriti 0, Shafali 0) Overs bowled: 1
No swing at all really on offer for Kapp, who changes her field in response.
Maiden over to start with for the player with the most wickets in the history of the tournament.
Match underway!
We are ready to start! Marizanne Kapp with the ball, two slips waiting for Smriti Mandhana.
She knocks it to extra cover.
Anthems time
Here come the national anthems, and the emotion and passion surrounding this match is palpable. Marizanne Kapp is visibly emotional as the South African anthem is played out.
As the Indian anthem is sung, there is a hum across the stadium as the crowd sings along. An eerie calm before the storm that will take place in just few minutes' time.
A watershed moment for women's cricket incoming?
Think Euro 2022. Think this year's rugby World Cup. Both tournaments were won on home soil and seen as a turning point for their respective sports, which have seen a boom in popularity.
India's run to the final has captivated the hearts of a cricket-mad nation of 1.4 billion people. Their semi-final win over Australia was felt across the country.
Given the recent rise in women's cricket, especially in India with the start of the WPL, if India were to win the tournament today, the popularity could explode.
A full 50 over match expected
The match was expected to get going nearly two hours ago, but persistent rain has pushed the start back to 10 minutes' time.
The DY Patil Stadium is filling up nicely now as the pre-match ceremony gets started. Sachin Tendulkar carries out the trophy.
Despite all the rain, we have not lost any overs, but should the rain return, the match will be shortened as we have used up all the spare time allocated.
A new name will be engraved on the trophy
We will have a new winner of the Women's World Cup whatever happens.
India have reached the final twice in their history, most recently in 2017 when they lost to hosts England by nine runs.
This is South Africa's first final, having fallen at the semi-final stage three times beforehand, including in each of the last two editions.
South Africa win toss and bowl
We have the captains in the middle for the toss!
Harmanpreet Kaur throws the coin up in the air and Laura Wolvaardt wins it and chooses to bowl.
She believes it is a good wicket, which could have some stickiness thanks to the rain. Unsurprisingly, they are unchanged.
Harmanpreet wanted to bowl too. India are also unchanged.
Promising signs in Mumbai
India are out warming up, and it looks less rainy.
Just whisper it, I think we are not far from some proper cricketing action.
More rain
It is starting to drizzle once more I'm afraid, so the covers are going back on.
The forecast generally does look clearer over the next few hours though.
Watch: Australia's David smashes monster 129m six against India
Elsewhere, India's men's side have started quickly in their chase of 187 against Australia, but have lost both openers in the powerplay.
Check out Tim David's record-breaking six in the first innings below:
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/02/image-c3222d58-6076-4f84-bee9-78ca210c0772-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'Nearly gone out the stadium!' - Australia's David smashes monster 129m six against India
Video credit: TNT Sports
Toss in 20 minutes
More news from Mumbai: The toss will take place at 16:30 local time which is 11am GMT.
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Covers coming off!
The covers are coming off now! However, the ground staff have a big clean-up job on their hands before we can get going.
We have been here before today too, so don't just get your hopes up yet.
Cut-off time 15:38 GMT
The cut-off for a 20-over game is 21:08 local time (15:38 GMT). We will start losing overs from 17:00 (12:00 GMT).
Let's hope we get a full game, but that looks dubious. It is a shame, but unfortunately, this tournament has been plagued by rain, with six no-results in the league stage.
What will happen if it continues to rain?
It is still raining in Mumbai. The bigger issue is the large puddles forming on the outfield.
If a result cannot be reached today, tomorrow is marked out as a reserve day and the match can be spread across both days. Unfortunately, the weather forecast looks pretty ropey tomorrow too.
If play cannot happen, the trophy will be shared.
How South Africa reached the final
South Africa also produced a shock to avenge group-stage defeat and beat England to reach their first World Cup final.
How India reached the final
How did India get here? Well, they provided a huge shock on home turf to dethrone the reigning champions Australia to book their place in the final.
Can Wolvaardt break record today?
Just like Rodrigues in India's semi-final, Laura Wolvaardt made headlines with her performance against England to get South Africa into this final.
She scored 169 - exactly 100 more than her entire side scored in their group match against England - to set South Africa up for a big win.
Wolvaardt also closed in on another record with that big score, and if she scores 40 today, she will break the record for most runs by a batter in a single Women's World Cup.
Elsewhere: Australia host India in third T20
It's raining in Mumbai, but it is not raining in Hobart, where Australia host India in the third men's T20.
Australia are going along nicely and Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Short are well-placed to provide a big finish.
You can follow our live updates here!
Further delay
According to Nasser Hussain, it is "absolutely hosing it down."
India player to watch: Jemimah Rodrigues
She has dominated the headlines the last few days and has become a hero in her home country thanks to what happened in the semi-final.
Tasked with a record chase of 339, Jemimah Rodrigues scored an unbeaten 127 to send shockwaves throughout the tournament.
The 25-year-old was playing Under-19 cricket at the age of 13, and has scored 203 runs in her last two innings, without being dismissed.
Rain returns
Uh oh. The brolleys are out and the covers have come back on.
This will most certainly push back the start.
What happened when the two sides last met?
Such is the nature of the tournament, these two already met in the pool stage and South Africa ran out winners by three wickets.
India dug themselves out of a hole batting first and clawed their way to 251, largely thanks to Richa Ghosh's 94 down the order.
South Africa also struggled with the bat, but Laura Wolvaardt anchored the innings before Nadine de Klerk's unbeaten 84 steered her side over the line with seven balls to spare.
Toss delayed, but the rain has stopped and the sun's out!
Good news from the stadium!
The persistent dribble has finally stopped and the covers are being peeled off. The only problem is a big puddle near the boundary which will need to be mopped up.
The toss has been officially delayed half an hour, but it is happening!
What is the weather forecast looking like?
As you might expect, forecasts differ widely. There are a few spots of showers in the air, but the question is, will they hit the stadium?
The worst of the rain should come around now, which could delay the toss, and there might be the odd shower a few hours later.
But hopefully, there should be enough time to get a full match and not impact the result too much.
It's time
Finally, a new name will be engraved on the Women's World Cup trophy, as India and South Africa battle for glory in Navi Mumbai.
As well as each other, the latest forecast suggests they will also need to fight the rain.
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