India Women face Sneh Rana conundrum, Jemimah Rodrigues question in quest for maiden Women’s World Cup title

Things won't be easy for India Women in the final in Navi Mumbai as they take on SAW in the Women's World Cup 2025 final

India Women’s Cricket Team will be eyeing history on Sunday as they face one last hurdle to lay hands on their maiden Women’s World Cup trophy. But, by no means will it be an easy task. Harmanpreet Kaur and co. are still far from being perfect, although they took down the mighty Aussies in a record-breaking run-chase to book their berth in the final. But the Proteas just can’t be counted out.

INDW vs SAW, Women’s World Cup 2025 final preview

Things won’t be easy for India Women in the final at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. Firstly, they will be without the services of their second highest run-getter in the tournament – Pratika Rawal – after she suffered an injury before the semi-final. Her replacement – Shafali Verma – simply failed to fire in the semi-final against Australia, sparking fresh concerns for INDW ahead of the final.

The other opener and the leading run-getter for INDW in the WC – Smriti Mandhana – will face a tough challenge, especially in the form of Marizanne Kapp, who has been in insane form off-late. Mandhana has two fifties and one century to her name in the tournament so far but has been poor in the last couple of matches. The contest between the two will be a treat to watch for the fans, although it is pertinent to point out that the batter has been dismissed just once in the 116 deliveries she has faced against Kapp, while operating at a strike rate of 62.

The Jemimah Rodrigues question

Meanwhile, India’s hero in the semi-final was Jemimah Rodrigues. Coming into bat at number 3, she stayed unbeaten on 127 to ensure the team went across the line with ease and book a spot in the final. Against SAW, she has played 12 matches so far, where she has scored only 286 runs. Will she be able to deliver on the big stage is something that remains to be seen.

Dropped and called back up into the XI during the tournament, fighting on multiple fronts to feature and eventually flourish again in India colours, Rodrigues will likely be targeted with left-arm spin through particularly through Chloe Tryon and Nonkululeko Mlaba, the former removing her earlier in the competition.

Can Deepti Sharma finish on a high?

Deepti Sharma has 17 wickets to her name so far in the Women’s World Cup 2025 and is the second highest wicket-taker. She has a golden opportunity to finish as the leading wicket-taker but by no means will that be a cakewalk. The last time the two sides met, the Indian bowler managed to get just one wicket while conceding 54 runs. Can she tackle the South African batters effectively? Well, Harmanpreet Kaur will be hoping she can do so.

Will Sneh Rana return?

South Africa has lost the most wickets to spin bowling in the entire tournament, prior to the final. Fascinatingly, the Proteas didn’t play any left-handed batters against England in the first semifinal. This works perfectly for India, who played Radha and Charani, two left-arm orthodox spinners, against Australia.

INDW vs SAW squads

India Women Squad: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh(w), Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur, Sneh Rana, Harleen Deol, Arundhati Reddy, Uma Chetry

South Africa Women Squad: Laura Wolvaardt(c), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta(w), Annerie Dercksen, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Masabata Klaas, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Karabo Meso