South Africa Opt to Bowl First in ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Final Against India

Laura Wolvaardt made the first call of the Women’s World Cup 2025 final and chose to bowl. At the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, South Africa put India in to bat in front of a packed crowd on Sunday afternoon. Can SA make it in its favour? Fans are eager for this most-awaited moment. 

The pitch showed a light covering of grass, and Wolvaardt trusted her pace attack to make early use of it. Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, and Nadine de Klerk will lead the new-ball charge with Mlaba’s spin later in the innings. “We’ll look for wickets early and keep them to a chaseable score,” Wolvaardt said at the toss. As the South African captain looks confident, it is expected to be a nail-biting match today.

Harmanpreet Kaur looked relaxed despite losing the toss. She said she wanted to bat first anyway, confident in her side’s top order that has carried India through the tournament. “We’ve done well setting up totals. The plan stays the same,” she said. 

India went in with the same XI that beat Australia in the semifinal. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana are at the top, followed by Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet, and Richa Ghosh. Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur strengthen the lower order, while Renuka Thakur leads the bowling.

India Women Playing XI: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, and Renuka Singh Thakur.

South Africa Women Playing XI: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Annerie Dercksen, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, and Nonkululeko Mlaba.