NAVI MUMBAI, India, Nov 2, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - South Africa skipper Laura 
Wolvaardt elected to field first against India in a rain-delayed Women's 
World Cup final with both teams seeking to win their first title on Sunday.

Thousands of fans In Indian jerseys waited patiently ahead of the start on a 
wet afternoon with a full house expected at Mumbai's 45,000-capacity DY Patil 
stadium.

Rain delayed the toss by two hours but no overs have been lost in the 50-over 
contest.

South Africa's women are into their first ODI World Cup final after they beat 
four-time winners England in the first semi-final and come in unchanged.

"Bit of rain around and there might be dew later on, hoping for a bit of 
slippiness early on with all the rain around," said Wolvaardt, who hit 169 in 
the first semi-final.

India have been runners-up twice, in 2005 and 2017, and reached their third 
final by beating seven-time champions Australia in a thriller.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur said she would have also bowled first had she won 
the toss.

The hosts come in unchanged from their record chase of 339 against Australia.

"We will try to bat well and put up a decent score," said Kaur. "I don't 
think there will be much on the pitch after five, six overs."

Teams

India women: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Amanjot Kaur, Harmanpreet Kaur 
(capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, 
Kranti Gaud, N Shree Charani, Renuka Singh.

South Africa women: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Annerie 
Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, 
Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.

Umpires: Eloise Sheridan (AUS), Jacqueline Williams (WIS)

TV Umpire: Sue Redfern (ENG)

Match Referee: Michell Pereira (SRI)