Navi Mumbai is set to host a thrilling finale to the Women's World Cup 2025, as India and South Africa prepare to battle it out for the coveted title. The stage is set at the Dr DY Patil Stadium, where a new champion will be crowned.
In a pre-match press conference, South Africa's captain, Laura Wolvaardt, made a statement that has sparked considerable interest. When asked about the prospect of facing a largely pro-India crowd, she responded with a confident smile, "Hopefully we win. I guess that will silence them". This remark immediately drew comparisons to a similar comment made by Australian captain Pat Cummins before the Men's Cricket World Cup final in 2023, where Australia defeated India in Ahmedabad. Cummins had then expressed his desire to silence the massive Indian crowd, and his team went on to do just that.
Wolvaardt, however, clarified that her team isn't relying on past results or head-to-head records. While South Africa and India are level at 3-3 in their head-to-head record, and South Africa has won the last three encounters since 2005, the Proteas are focused on the present. In the ongoing World Cup, South Africa has already defeated India once. "We're trying not to think too much about the past at all," Wolvaardt stated. "Every cricket game starts at zero. We can't sort of bring any of our history into this game". She emphasized the importance of starting afresh and focusing on playing their best cricket on the day.
Wolvaardt, who is also the leading run-scorer in the tournament with 470 runs, acknowledged the pressure on both teams. She believes that the team that stays calmest under pressure will most likely emerge victorious. Speaking about the expected crowd, Wolvaardt admitted that it would be a tough game with the whole crowd behind India, likely a sold-out stadium. However, she also pointed out that the pressure of expectations might work in South Africa's favor. "It's going to be a very exciting opportunity, but at the same time, it puts a lot of pressure on them," she said. "They have the whole country behind them and are sort of expected to win". She hopes this pressure will play to South Africa's advantage.
South Africa's journey to the final has been impressive. They began their campaign with a dominant 10-wicket victory over England but finished third in the league stage. They then delivered a clinical performance in the semi-final in Guwahati, defeating England again to secure their place in the final.
Both India and South Africa enter this final with the experience of having been on the losing side of a World Cup final. Wolvaardt stated that she is personally trying not to think about the result. "I'm just really trying to stay present," she said. "We still have a really big game ahead of us against a really quality side. I'm trying not to think too far ahead".
Wolvaardt recognizes the significance of the match for women's cricket in South Africa. With the recent introduction of a domestic league, she believes that a World Cup trophy would be incredibly inspirational, encouraging more girls to take up the sport.
As the final approaches, Wolvaardt's focus is on keeping her team calm amidst the high-pressure atmosphere. "It'll be important for us to stay as present as we can," she said. "There'll be a lot of noise, a lot happening, but at the end of the day, it's just a game of cricket. The team that does the basics for longer and holds their nerve will win".
