SAW  – 246-10 (45.3)

Player of the Match – Shafali Verma

Player of the Tournament – Deepti Sharma

The ICC Women’s World Cup final was held on Sunday, November 2, at DY Patil, Navi Mumbai.

South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma opened for India. Shafali Verma, who was a replacement for Pratika, got a call to play the semi-final and final for India, and she grabbed this opportunity with both hands. She got out early in the semi-final, but she showed her flair from the first ball by hitting a four in the finals.

Both openers put up a 104-run opening partnership. Smriti got caught behind the wicket in Chloe Tryon’s over. Shafali continued her batting very well. She maintained the run rate. Shafali scored 87 runs in 78 balls and got out on Ayabonga Khaka’s ball. Khaka again took the wicket of the last match hero, Rodrigues. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur got bowled out by Mlaba.

India was losing wickets from time to time. Management sent Amanjot Kaur to up the order to stabilise and wants to set the stage for Richa Ghosh. But Amanjiot got caught and bowled by de Klerk. Richa Ghosh hit a six over cover on her second ball. Richa played a really good knock in the finals and got out on Ayabonga Khaka’s last ball. Richa scored 34 runs in 24 balls. Deepti Sharma scored 58 runs. India posted a total of 298 runs. It was a decent total.

Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits opened for South Africa. Both were playing well, but Tazmin got run out in the 10th over. Shree Charani got Anneke Bosch on a duck. Laura and Sune Luus built a partnership and maintained the run rate. Shafali, who performed with the bat, also took the wicket of Sune Luus in her first over. Shafali struck again and took the wicket of Marizanne Kapp. Deepti took the wicket of Sinalo Jafta. Laura was fighting from one end. Annerie Dercksen gave support to Laura, but it ended soon with Deepti’s over. Laura hit a century in the semis and finals. 

Deepti took the wicket of Laura and the hope of South Africa. South Africa got all out on 246 runs. Deepti took a 5-wicket haul in the final and scored 58 runs.

3 games are remaining for India – against England, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. All these matches are crucial to keep their qualification hopes alive. Out of the three, two matches will be tough. If India wins all the remaining matches, they will qualify comfortably. Otherwise, qualification may come down to net run rate, which is not an ideal situation. If India wins only one match, their chances will depend on how other teams perform.

The Bangladesh match looks easier on paper and will be India’s last league game. If qualification comes down to NRR, India can capitalize on this match to boost their chances.

India will play against England on October 19, New Zealand on October 23, and their final match against Bangladesh on October 26.