• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

India women vs South Africa final, ICC Women's World Cup 2025: Shafali Verma has capitalised on the opportunity she got on her return to the Indian team with a crucial contribution against South Africa in the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 final at the DY Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.

Shafali was drafted into the team after Pratika Rawal was ruled out of the tournament due to an injury. The young opener had to open with Smriti Mandhana straight away in the semifinal against Australia, where she had a disappointing outing. However, Shafali produced a magnificent effort in the summit clash, playing an incredible knock of 87 runs in 78 balls on the back of seven fours and two sixes.

After India were put into bat first, Shafali and Mandhana stitched a magnificent opening stand of 104 runs. The duo of Smriti and Shafali became only the second pair in Women’s Cricket World Cup history to put on a century stand in the final.

Recommended For You

ALSO READ: India Pull Off 3rd Highest Successful T20I Run Chase In Australia To Break THIS INCREDIBLE STREAK

The Aussie duo of Rachael Haynes and Alyssa Healy were the only other opening pair to achieve the milestone, by registering a stellar 160-run stand in the 2022 final.

While Shafali took the attacking responsibility and smashed the bowlers all around the park, Mandhana played the waiting game and focused on rotating the strike. Unfortunately for the Women in Blue, the partnership was broken in the 18th over as Mandhana missed out on her fifty. She was dismissed for 45 runs by Chloe Tryon.

ALSO READ: Sara Tendulkar's Reaction To Shubman Gill's Stunning Flick Goes Viral During IND vs AUS 3rd T20I

On the other hand, Shafali couldn't convert her effort into an outstanding century and was dismissed by Ayabonga Khaka in the 28th over.

Both teams headed into the final with an aim to lift their maiden World Cup title. This is India's third appearance in the final, and they made it to the summit clash on the back of a memorable victory over the defending champions, Australia, in the semifinal. Talking about South Africa, they got the better of England in the first semifinal.


IND-W vs SA-W Playing XIs, ICC Women's World Cup 2025 Final

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

South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt (C), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta (WK), Annerie Dercksen, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka

Also In News