India delivered a commanding batting performance in the Women’s World Cup final at Navi Mumbai, posting 298/7 against South Africa after a rain-delayed start.
Shafali Verma dazzled with a fiery 87 off 78 balls, while Smriti Mandhana added 45 in a 104-run opening stand.
Deepti Sharma anchored the middle overs with a composed 58, her third fifty of the tournament, supported by a brisk 34 from Richa Ghosh.
Despite India’s aggressive start, South Africa clawed back through Ayabonga Khaka’s 3-wicket haul and Nonkululeko Mlaba’s timely breakthrough, preventing India from breaching the psychological 300-run mark.
The final now hinges on South Africa’s chase under pressure.
