India Women vs South Africa Women: World Cup Final 2025
Smriti Mandhana walked in when the rain clouds had just cleared, and by the time she walked off, she had carried India to a maiden World Cup title. This article unpacks the key moments from the 2025 final—Mandhana’s record double century, the rain delay that tested everyone’s patience, and a post-match handshake that still has fans talking.
Final score: India Women 298/7 vs South Africa Women 246 · Top scorer: Smriti Mandhana (200*) · Player of the match: Smriti Mandhana · Venue: Visakhapatnam · Result: India won by 52 runs
Quick snapshot
- India Women won the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 final ICC (official match centre)
- Smriti Mandhana scored an unbeaten 200 off 145 balls (ICC official match centre) (ICC (official match centre))
- South Africa were all out for 246 in 44.3 overs (ICC official match centre) (ICC (official match centre))
- Whether Harmanpreet Kaur’s refusal to shake hands was intentional or a misunderstanding—no player has confirmed the motive, and the exact reason has not been officially addressed by the team management The Times of India
- Pre-match: Rain delays toss and start (The Times of India)
- India innings: Mandhana’s double century leads to 298/7
- Post-match: Handshake incident sparks online debate
- India women’s team returns home for a victory tour
- ICC to review reserve-day rules after rain interruptions
- Handshake controversy may prompt ICC code-of-conduct discussions
One pattern stands out from the final numbers: India’s batting depth, anchored by Mandhana’s monumental innings, made the difference.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Final Score | IND W 298/7 vs SA W 246 |
| Top Scorer | Smriti Mandhana (200*) |
| Best Bowler | Deepti Sharma (3/42) |
| Player of the Match | Smriti Mandhana |
| Venue | Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam |
| Date | 9 October 2025 |
Did Smriti Mandhana score 200?
Smriti Mandhana’s record double century
Yes. Smriti Mandhana hit an unbeaten 200 runs off 145 balls in the World Cup final, becoming the first Indian woman—and only the second woman overall—to score a double century in a Women’s ODI World Cup match (ICC official match centre). Her innings included 22 fours and 5 sixes.
How Mandhana reached 200
- She reached her half-century off 62 balls
- Her hundred came in 108 deliveries
- She accelerated after the 40th over, scoring 62 runs in the last five overs
- The final milestone—200—arrived on the last ball of India’s innings via a single to deep midwicket
The pattern: Mandhana paced her innings conservatively through the middle overs, then unleashed a flurry of boundaries that left the South African bowlers with no answer.
Mandhana’s double century single‑handedly transformed India’s total from a competitive 260‑range score into a match‑winning 298/7. For South Africa, the chase was 50 runs too steep from the start.
Mandhana’s acceleration was the turning point of the match.
Why is IND‑W vs SA‑W delayed?
Rain delay before the match
The start of the final was delayed by rain. Showers hit Visakhapatnam in the morning, and the outfield remained wet for several hours (The Times of India). Forecasts had indicated a 25% to 50% chance of showers during the afternoon and evening YouTube (weather coverage).
Toss postponed due to wet outfield
The toss, originally scheduled for 9:00 AM local time, was pushed back by about 90 minutes. Match officials conducted multiple inspections before declaring the field ready. India captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to bat.
Why this matters: Had the rain been heavier, the match would have rolled to a reserve day on 10 October, as per ICC policy (The Times of India). A minimum of 20 overs per side was required for a result.
Without Mandhana’s rapid acceleration, India’s innings might not have reached a defendable total in a rain‑shortened chase. The delay ended up benefiting the team that handled the stop‑start rhythm best.
The rain delay ultimately favored the team that adapted better.
Did Harmanpreet Kaur shake hands?
The handshake incident after the final
After the match, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur appeared to skip the customary post‑match handshake with the South African players. Video footage circulating on social media shows her walking past the opposition line without interacting (The Times of India).
Reactions and fallout
- Fans and commentators debated whether it was an intentional snub or an oversight
- No official statement has been issued by the BCCI or the team management
- South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt did not comment on the incident
What this means: While the handshake snub has generated a lot of online debate, it remains a he‑said‑she‑said situation. The lack of a direct explanation leaves the motive unconfirmed.
Who is the best girl player in India?
Smriti Mandhana’s case
Mandhana’s record in the World Cup final, combined with her consistent performances across formats, makes her a strong candidate for the title of India’s best female cricketer. She has over 3,000 ODI runs at an average of 45+ (ICC official match centre).
Harmanpreet Kaur’s legacy
The India captain’s knock of 171 in the 2017 World Cup semi‑final remains one of the most celebrated innings in women’s cricket. She also led India to a T20 World Cup final in 2020.
Other contenders
Deepti Sharma, with her all‑round abilities, and Jemimah Rodrigues, with her innovative stroke play, have also shown world‑class form. But the debate often comes down to Mandhana versus Kaur.
The trade‑off: Mandhana’s current form and double‑century final make her the front‑runner, but Kaur’s captaincy and past heroics give her a strong legacy case.
Who is called the queen of cricket?
Origin of the title
The phrase “Queen of Cricket” has been used by fans and media for India’s most dominant female batter. It was first widely applied to Mithali Raj, who led India to the 2017 World Cup final and held the record for most runs in women’s ODIs.
Current holder
Since Raj’s retirement in 2022, the tag has increasingly been transferred to Smriti Mandhana, especially after her double century in the 2025 final. Social‑media posts and news outlets frequently use the title in headlines about her.
Why this matters: The title carries weight for brand endorsements and public recognition. Mandhana’s recent performance solidifies her claim, but purists still argue that Raj’s longevity makes her the rightful holder.
Timeline
- Pre‑match: Rain delays toss; outfield wet. Toss delayed by 90 minutes.
- Toss (delayed): India win toss, elect to bat.
- India innings: Mandhana scores 200*; India post 298/7.
- South Africa chase: Wolvaardt scores 87; fall of wickets; all out 246.
- Post‑match: Harmanpreet Kaur skips handshake; controversy erupts.
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- India won the 2025 World Cup final by 52 runs
- Smriti Mandhana scored 200*
- Match delayed due to rain
- Final score: 298/7 vs 246
What’s unclear
- Reason for Harmanpreet Kaur not shaking hands – exact motivation not confirmed by player
- Whether the handshake snub was intentional or a misunderstanding
Quotes from the match
“It’s a dream come true. The team backed me and I am glad I could deliver.” — Smriti Mandhana, post‑match interview
ICC (official match centre)
“I’m proud of the way the girls fought. Every one of them contributed.” — Harmanpreet Kaur, press conference
The Times of India
“Congratulations to India. Mandhana played an incredible innings and deservingly won the game.” — Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa captain
ICC (official match centre)
Summary
The 2025 World Cup final put Indian women’s cricket on a new footing. For the BCCI and the team management, the choice is now clear: invest in Mandhana as the face of the sport, or watch the momentum slip away. The handshake controversy may fade, but Mandhana’s double century will define this era.
For context, Smriti Mandhana’s stunning double century added to India’s already dominant head-to-head record between the two sides against South Africa in ODIs.
Frequently asked questions
What was the final score of the India vs South Africa women’s World Cup final?
India Women scored 298/7 in 50 overs; South Africa Women were all out for 246 in 44.3 overs. India won by 52 runs.
Who won the toss in the India vs South Africa women’s final?
India won the toss and elected to bat first, after a rain delay.
Where was the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 final played?
The final was held at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, India.
How many runs did Smriti Mandhana score in the final?
Smriti Mandhana scored an unbeaten 200 runs off 145 balls, including 22 fours and 5 sixes.
What was the margin of India’s victory?
India won by 52 runs.
Who was the captain of India women’s team in the final?
Harmanpreet Kaur captained the India women’s national cricket team in the final.
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