A new champion awaits: Women’s cricket is 100 overs away from welcoming a brand-new world champion. When India and South Africa walk out for the much-anticipated title clash of the ongoing ICC Women’s ODI World Cup at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, the sport will witness an unprecedented moment, a first-time winner lifting the elusive trophy in the women’s game.
For India, it is a third shot at the title. For South Africa, it is a first step into uncharted territory. For the women’s sport, it’ll have a new force to reckon with. In its 13th edition, the Women’s ODI World Cup has witnessed three champions so far, with Australia winning the title for a record seven times, followed by England (four times) and New Zealand etching their name once.
India’s chance to end title jinx
Harmanpreet Kaur’s team stands on the brink of a breakthrough that has eluded Indian women’s cricket for two decades. Twice runners-up, repeatedly heartbroken in knockout games, India now have the stage, and more importantly the momentum to end their wait for an ICC title.
Their path to the final has been anything but straightforward. After a sound opening with convincing wins against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, the home side endured three consecutive losses to South Africa, Australia and England, mounting doubts before bouncing back with wins against New Zealand and Australia led by a fearless batting group.
Jemimah Rodrigues’ unbeaten 127 in the semi-final has already become part of a growing folklore, a defining knock that turned nerves into belief and gave India a final berth that once looked unlikely. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur raised her hands when it mattered the most against Australia in the tense semifinal. Smriti Mandhana, by far the best batter for the hosts, had a rare off day against the Aussies, but she will be keen to leave her mark in the summit clash.
But history hasn’t always been kind. The scars of the 2017 Lord’s final against England, the narrow defeats to Australia in the 2023 T20 World Cup final and 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal match, still hover in the background. India are no longer fighting questions about technique or skills, only the weight of their own past.
On the other hand, South Africa arrive with no baggage of past finals, only the hunger to prove they belong at the pinnacle. Their campaign has been a story of resilience: bowled out for 69 one day, taking down the same opponent days later; humbled for 97 by Australia, yet regrouping to reach the final with clarity and calm.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt has been the tournament’s most influential batter and her combination with Tazmin Brits has given South Africa a powerful foundation. Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, and Chloe Tryon provide the all-round depth that keeps them in contests even when momentum wavers.
The DY Patil Stadium’s batting-friendly surface promises another high-scoring encounter. India’s strength remains its top six, but its bowlers, Deepti Sharma aside, have been inconsistent. South Africa come with a more balanced attack, including match-up specialist Nonkululeko Mlaba, who will be central against India’s right-hand core.
This is no longer about technical precision. It is about composure. Who chases calmly, who fields under pressure, who bowls the 48th over without blinking. Finals do not always reward favourites. They reward those who refuse to freeze.
The impact of a title
If India win, the impact could be transformational. A world title on home soil could propel women’s cricket into a space even the Women’s Premier League has not been able to unlock with new fans, new role models, new dreams entering playgrounds and living rooms.
If the Proteas win, it will rewrite a nation’s narrative in sport, one built on heartbreaks, near-misses and rebuilding. It will also confirm their rise as a multi-format force across genders, a journey that began long before this tournament and has withstood more disruption than most teams in world cricket.
On Sunday, two teams walk in with history behind them. A new world champion is inevitable. What remains uncertain is whose name will be etched into cricket’s next chapter.
Teams (from):
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Richa Ghosh (wk), Uma Chetry (wk), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Shafali Verma, Amanjot Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur, Shree Charani, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav.
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Karabo Meso (wk), Anneke Bosch, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloe Tryon, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune.