India vs South Africa, 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup Final: Key battles, X-factors and where the match could turn

Wolvaardt-Brits combo at the top

As was the case against Australia, India will again face up to a quality opening partnership at the top on Sunday. As a duo, Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits have had their ups and downs at this World Cup, but when they have got going, they have struck big.

They have two 100-plus runs partnerships in this tournament, including in the semi-final against England, where their 116-run stand set the foundation for the eventual score of 319/7.

Wolvaardt, who is the World Cup’s highest run-getter with 470 runs in eight matches, will come into the final on the back of an imperious 169, which drove her side to that match-winning score against England. The right-hander has found support from Brits, who has 212 runs in eight matches, but has blown hot and cold in the tournament. Breaking the stand early, especially seeing the back of Wolvaardt, is critical to India’s chances.

Left-arm threat

India will face a varied South African bowling attack, capable of running through the best batting line-ups in the world. However, the left-arm spin duo of Nonkululeku Mlaba and Chloe Tryon will pose the greatest threat. The former has 12 wickets in eight matches at an average of 20.67, and while the latter has fewer wickets, she was the pick of the bowlers in the league phase match against India in Visakhapatnam, taking 3/32 in 10 overs.

The duo are slightly different types of bowlers. Mlaba is a bit more side-on, which helps her get drift, while Tryon gets more open-chested in her action. India had issues with left-arm spin in the early stages of this World Cup. Sri Lanka’s Inoka Ranaweera took 4/46 in the tournament opener in Guwahati. Linsey Smith was economical on the smaller boundaries at Indore, with figures of 1/40 in 10 overs. In such a scenario, the left-handed Smriti Mandhana at the top and Deepti Sharma in the middle become crucial players to tackle the threat.

X-factors to watch out for

Apart from these players, South Africa also have two X-factor all-rounders who can be game-changers. Marizanne Kapp, who will perhaps play her final ODI World Cup game on Sunday, has been the standout pacer in the tournament, along with Annabel Sutherland. Kapp, who was sensational in the semifinal with a five-for, has 12 wickets in eight matches. She has also made crucial contributions with the bat, notably her 56 against Bangladesh, proving priceless after her side was 78-5 in a chase of 233 runs.

When asked who out of Australia or India would she want to face in the final, the all-rounder was categorical about wanting to play the hosts since she wanted to play in front of a packed house. “Look, we’ve been saying for a couple of years now, I would love to play India in a final, especially, I feel like when I play in India, even though the crowd is against me, it feels like they’re shouting for me. So, I love the crowds,” Kapp said at the post-match press conference after the England win.

The other player who would worry India is Nadine de Klerk. They have already experienced the kind of devastating effect she can have, late into a game. Her unbeaten 84 off 54 balls with eight fours and five sixes, took South Africa home with an over to spare in Vizag and exposed India’s death bowling woes and their five-bowler theory.

Where India have the edge

South Africa may have finished third on the table with five wins in seven matches, but their two defeats had a common theme – batting collapses. In their tournament opener against England, they were bowled out for 69 with Smith and Sophie Ecclestone sharing five wickets between them to run through the batting order. Then, having qualified for the semifinals, South Africa ended their league phase with yet another poor batting display, losing all 10 wickets for 97 runs against Australia in Indore. Alana King was the star that day, claiming 7/18 to dismantle the Proteas batting line-up.

The cues for India to take from both those defeats are that South Africa have had trouble with balls leaving the right-handers or going straight on after hitting the pitch. Hence, the left-arm spin duo of Sree Charani and Radha Yadav could have pivotal roles to play if the hosts are to cause dents in the opposition batting line-up. Charani has been superb for the hosts throughout the tournament with 13 wickets in eight matches. She will be entering the final after an excellent display against Australia, where she took 2/49 in 10 overs. Having played the last two matches in place of Sneh Rana, Yadav would likely retain her place but has to bowl with better control over lengths.