The sting of India’s 2023 World Cup final defeat still resonates with many cricket enthusiasts. This time, the nation holds its breath as the women’s team, under the dynamic leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, prepares to challenge South Africa in the ICC Women’s World Cup final. The highly anticipated match will take place on Sunday at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
This upcoming final marks a significant moment for the Indian women’s team, their third appearance in a Women’s ODI World Cup title clash. Their previous attempts saw them fall short, losing to Australia by 98 runs in 1998 and narrowly missing out against England by nine runs in 2017.
India’s journey to this final has been remarkable, highlighted by a stunning victory over seven-time champions Australia in the semifinals. They now face a determined South African side, making their historic maiden appearance in a World Cup final.
As anticipation builds, questions arise: Can India finally clinch the coveted title? How will Harmanpreet Kaur manage the immense pressure? And how formidable an opponent will South Africa prove to be?
Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes Harmanpreet Kaur will navigate the grand stage with ease and is confident that the Indian team will emerge victorious. “There’s pressure in every game,” Anjum stated in an exclusive interview. “She’s a senior campaigner who understands what it means to play a World Cup final and win a semifinal. She’s a seasoned player and a proven match-winner. The expectations and pressure that accompany any international game are always present – it’s no different here. I don’t believe she’ll feel any additional pressure; her focus will be on making the occasion special for herself and the country. I’m confident these girls will succeed.” Anjum added, “My wish is that India wins the World Cup.”
However, Anjum also offered a note of caution, advising India against underestimating South Africa, whom she commended for their consistent performances in recent ICC tournaments. “South Africa has experience in World Cup finals before, having played two T20 World Cup finals in 2023 and 2024. So, it’s not as if they are strangers to this level. While this is their first 50-over World Cup final, many of their players have been part of those T20 campaigns. They are acutely aware of what they missed out on and how tirelessly they’ve worked to reach this point, especially after early setbacks against England and a significant loss to Australia. They will undoubtedly be eager to correct their course and strive for a better outcome this time,” she explained.
A pivotal moment in India’s campaign was Jemimah Rodrigues’ unforgettable 127 not out in the semifinals, which propelled them past the formidable Australian team. Emotions ran high as Jemimah’s masterful innings secured India’s place in the final. Anjum remarked on the performance: “The innings Jemimah played was simply spectacular, regardless of whether it was a World Cup semifinal, final, or a league game. It was brilliant to watch, a true spectacle. As Indians, we wanted to win that game, and she made it even more special. But even if you set aside the occasion and focus purely on her batsmanship, temperament, and skill – it was a delight. From my perspective in the commentary box, and what the world witnessed, everything about that innings was magnified by the significance of the match and the quality of the opposition. Her skill level and composure were absolutely outstanding. It was such a joy to watch Jemimah play that kind of innings.”