India vs South Africa Live Score, Women's World Cup Final 2025: Shafali Verma Eyes Century As India Build Strong Total

New Delhi | November 2, 2025 The stage is set at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai for a high-voltage finale of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, and India vs South Africa is living up to every bit of the hype. After being asked to bat first by South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt, India have made a strong start thanks to the brilliance of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana at the top. At the halfway mark, India stand at 154 for 1 in 25.4 overs, with Shafali Verma blazing away on 79 off 71 balls, while Jemimah Rodrigues is playing the perfect support role at the other end with 19 off 26. The pair is keeping the scoreboard ticking as India eye a big total in this high-pressure clash. Shafali, known for her fearless strokeplay, has been in stunning touch today. She brought up her half-century in just 49 balls, showcasing aggressive intent from the outset. One of the highlights came when she danced down the track to Sune Luus, sending the ball soaring straight over the bowler’s head for a massive six. A few overs later, she punished a short ball from Chloe Tryon, whipping it through square leg for another boundary. India did suffer a setback earlier when Smriti Mandhana fell for 45, edging a delivery from Tryon to wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta. But before her dismissal, Smriti made history—her 434 runs in this tournament have surpassed Mithali Raj’s long-standing record of 409 runs in a single Women’s World Cup edition (set in 2017). It’s another proud moment for the left-hander, whose consistency at the top has been the backbone of India’s batting campaign. Despite losing Mandhana, India haven’t slowed down. The Shafali–Jemimah partnership has looked composed and confident, adding vital runs without taking unnecessary risks. There was a brief scare when Shafali appeared to cramp up in the 24th over, forcing the physio to rush in, but the opener looked determined to carry on. And she did—responding with another flurry of boundaries soon after play resumed. South Africa, meanwhile, have struggled to contain the Indian batters. Bowlers like Ayabonga Khaka and Sune Luus have kept things tight in patches, but the lack of breakthroughs is hurting them. An especially costly moment came when Anneke Bosch dropped Shafali at deep mid-wicket—a chance that could come back to haunt the Proteas. The atmosphere in Navi Mumbai is electric, with fans roaring for every boundary and chanting Shafali’s name as she inches closer to a potential World Cup final hundred. If she manages to convert this into a three-figure score, it could be one of the defining innings in Indian women’s cricket history. At this stage, India’s plan is clear—keep building through the middle overs and unleash in the final 10. With hitters like Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh waiting in the wings, the platform is perfectly set for a huge total. As things stand, India are in control at 154/1, looking steady and confident in their quest for a big score. The South African fielders look under pressure, and every dot ball is being cheered as if it’s a wicket. Shafali Verma remains the key—if she goes on to get her century, India could very well be on their way to a historic World Cup triumph on home soil. Fans can barely sit still—because tonight, at DY Patil, Shafali Verma and Team India are scripting something truly special. Shafali Verma Shines in World Cup Final Showdown Shafali Verma is on fire at the ICC Women’s World Cup Final 2025! The young opener has played a stunning knock against South Africa, bringing up a quick fifty and keeping India in control of the innings. Her fearless hitting, sharp timing, and determination have lifted the team’s momentum in this high-stakes match. With India eyeing a massive total, Shafali’s innings could be the defining moment of the final. From elegant drives to powerful sixes, she’s proving why she’s one of India’s most explosive talents on the world stage today.