The Women's ODI World Cup has now reached its final stage, and the two teams that will face off for the title have been decided. The final match of the tournament will be played between India and South Africa on Sunday at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Neither team has ever won a World Cup title, so it's certain that women's cricket will have a new champion this time.
Both defeated strong teams in the semifinals.
Reaching the final was not easy for India and South Africa, as both teams faced a tough challenge in the semifinals. South Africa faced England in the semifinals, while India faced seven-time champions Australia. Interestingly, just as England defeated South Africa in the group stage, Australia also dominated India in the group stage. Despite this, India and South Africa remained undeterred, overcoming the semifinal hurdle and successfully advancing to the final. Now, both teams are one step away from their first World Cup title.
India-South Africa's Journey in the Women's World Cup
Reviewing India and South Africa's journey in the 2025 Women's World Cup, both performed well in the group stage. South Africa finished third with 10 points from seven matches, with five wins and two losses. While the hosts India finished fourth with seven points from seven matches, with three wins, three losses, and one draw, they qualified for the semi-finals.
India's comeback after a hat-trick of defeats
India began their Women's World Cup campaign by defeating co-hosts Sri Lanka by 59 runs in a rain-interrupted match. They then defeated arch-rivals Pakistan by 88 runs in the next match. After two consecutive victories, India's campaign suffered a setback when they suffered a hat-trick of defeats, making it seem as if their journey might end in the group stage. India first lost by three wickets to the same South Africa team against whom they will play the final on Sunday. They then lost by three wickets to Australia and by four runs to England. It was crucial for India to win the match against New Zealand. The match was a virtual knockout for both teams, but the Indian team, with brilliant innings from Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, set a huge target for New Zealand and secured a place in the semi-finals after winning by 53 runs via DLS in a rain-interrupted match. India's next group stage match was against Bangladesh, but that match was washed out due to rain.
South Africa recovers from a poor start to reach the final.
South Africa's World Cup campaign had a disappointing start. They suffered a crushing 10-wicket defeat against England. However, the team made a strong comeback after that, winning five consecutive matches. South Africa defeated New Zealand by six wickets, India by three wickets, Bangladesh by three wickets, Sri Lanka by 10 wickets via DLS, and Pakistan by 150 runs. However, they suffered a seven-wicket defeat against defending champions Australia in their final group stage match. The team's morale remained unshaken, and they made a strong comeback in the semi-finals, defeating England.
Bothteams are tied in the World Cup.
India and South Africa have never faced each other in the Women's World Cup final. However, they have played each other six times in the Women's World Cup. India and South Africa are tied in this tournament, having won three times each. The two teams first faced each other in 1997, when India defeated South Africa by five wickets. Subsequently, in 2000, India prevailed, winning the match by eight wickets. India also defeated South Africa by four wickets in 2005.
India has lost in the last three matches.
While India defeated South Africa three times in the Women's ODI World Cup from 1997 to 2005, it has also lost three times against this team between 2017 and 2025. South Africa defeated India by 115 runs in 2017 and by three wickets in 2022. This time too, South Africa won against India in the group stage.
Several courts across the country received bomb threats; panic spread in courts from Bihar and Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh to Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
Several district courts across India received bomb threats via email on Thursday. This includes courts in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh. The bomb threats caused widespread panic.
West Bengal Politics: CM Mamata makes serious allegations against the Election Commission, says EC is ignoring 20 years of statutory reforms.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has once again leveled serious allegations against the Election Commission. She said, "The Commission is disregarding its own statutory reforms of the past
When Virat Kohli's Instagram account was deactivated, fans started demanding answers from Anushka Sharma, causing an uproar on social media.
The news of Indian cricket star Virat Kohli's Instagram account being deactivated caused a stir on social media. While there has been no official statement yet on whether Kohli himself deactivated the
IPL 2026 Mini Auction: All eyes will be on Green, Venkatesh, and Livingstone; 10 teams will be in the fray for 77 players.
In the IPL 2026 mini-auction to be held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, Australia's Cameron Green appears to be in a strong position due to the limited availability of world-class fast-bowling all-rounders.
Mamata Banerjee: The Supreme Court will hear the case regarding SIR today; West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may present her arguments herself.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may present her arguments herself in the Supreme Court on Wednesday during the hearing of petitions filed against the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of the
Mumbai Hostage: Rohit Arya, who held 17 children hostage in a studio, dies after being shot in police retaliation.
Every day, the reality show Bigg Boss 19 sees a new drama unfold. Sometimes it's a fight over household chores, sometimes it's a debate about relationship complexities, but this time things are a
The entire Deol family arrived to watch Dharmendra's latest film, Ikkis, but his wife Hema Malini was noticeably absent.
The Deol family is still trying to cope with the loss of veteran superstar Dharmendra. In this atmosphere of grief, they came together for the screening of 'Ikkis', his last film. During the event,
Rohit Shetty Firing Case: Accused recruited with lure of Hindutva and money, brainwashed and trained
New revelations are emerging daily in the firing incident at the home of renowned Bollywood director Rohit Shetty. The Mumbai Crime Branch is continuously investigating the case. Twelve accused have
How can the ICC punish Bangladesh for withdrawing from the T20 World Cup? What do the rules say?
The T20 World Cup 2026 is just days away, but a major controversy has erupted due to the stubbornness of Bangladesh Cricket. Bangladesh's participation in the tournament, which is being jointly hosted
'This time the bullet will go right through his head,' Iran now threatens to kill Trump.
The verbal war between the US and Iran has reached a dangerous point due to American interference in the ongoing protests in Iran. Trump's threats are having no effect on Iran. On the contrary, Iran
