Navi Mumbai, Nov 1 (NationPress) Women's cricket is on the brink of a monumental shift as India and South Africa prepare to clash in a groundbreaking final of the ICC Women's ODI World Cup, both teams aiming for their inaugural title. The victor on Sunday night at the DY Patil Sports Academy will etch their name in history as only the fourth nation to secure the World Cup in the 50-over format, following in the footsteps of Australia, England, and New Zealand.

This marks South Africa's first venture into a 50-over World Cup final, while the Indian squad, known as the Women in Blue, is competing for the third time, having reached the final in 2005 and 2017. Under the leadership of former captain Mithali Raj on both occasions, India fell short against Australia in 2005 and England in 2017.

The stakes have risen significantly this year, with defending champions England and seven-time champions Australia eliminated after losing their semi-final matches to South Africa and India.

The journey to the finals has been varied for both teams. The Proteas, who suffered a dismal 69 all-out in their opening match against England, have dominated most games, save for a 97 all-out against Australia. Conversely, India made a remarkable recovery after a shaky start in the group stage, securing a spot in the semi-finals with a crucial win against New Zealand.

New heroes have emerged for South Africa, while India has shown resilience, bouncing back from losses that could have easily been wins. Both teams avenged their earlier defeats in the semi-finals and now seek to claim a historic title.

With stars like Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur leading the charge for India, young girls are inspired by the likes of Pratika Rawal, Kranti Gaud, and Jemimah Rodrigues, as women's cricket in India evolves.

On the other hand, Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp continue to be pivotal for South Africa, while new talents like Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, and Nonkululeko Mlaba have emerged as heroes throughout the tournament.

Sunday could herald a new era in ODIs, encouraging teams to believe in their potential beyond traditional powerhouses Australia and England, as witnessed in last year's T20 World Cup final. It emphasizes that even teams finishing third and fourth can exceed expectations in knockout rounds, proving that both India and South Africa can handle high-pressure scenarios and drive transformative change.

South Africa faces the challenge of playing in front of over 30,000 spectators while adjusting to the conditions in Navi Mumbai, where they have yet to compete in this World Cup. Conversely, India will be appearing at this venue for the fourth consecutive time, remaining undefeated.

With more recovery time from their semi-final, South Africa may have an advantage, while India's turnaround is shorter following their thrilling encounter against Australia that concluded on Thursday. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt has excelled, scoring a magnificent 169 off 143 balls, including 20 boundaries and four sixes. Tazmin Brits has also made significant contributions, scoring 101 against New Zealand and an unbeaten 55 against Sri Lanka.

As two of the strongest teams in World Cup history, India and South Africa stand on the brink of making history while focusing on future development. The winning team will not only secure their first trophy but could also have a lasting impact on the trajectory of women's cricket globally.

The outcome promises to bring both joy and heartbreak, with both teams poised to make history. Regardless of the result, this match is set to elevate the standards of the sport. Navi Mumbai might become a launching pad for future heights in 2025, with a new chapter unfolding this Sunday.

Unseasonal rains have affected many regions, and similar weather is expected on Sunday, particularly with showers forecasted after 5 PM.

The playing conditions in Navi Mumbai should favor batters, with temperatures expected to remain below 31°C, and dew potentially impacting the chase. If rain interrupts the match, a reserve day is allocated, allowing play to continue on Monday instead of resuming beyond the scheduled day.

When: Sunday, November 2, 3:00 PM IST

Where: Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai

Where to watch: Star Sports Network for live broadcast and JioHotstar for live streaming.

Squads

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud.

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase