PRARTHANA HAZARIKA
DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai is getting ready to host a historic match. The finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 will be played between host India and South Africa. Earlier on Thursday India defeated defending champion and seven-time title holder Australia by 5wickets. The semi-final match between India and Australia in Navi Mumbai drew a crowd of over 34,600 spectators.
Jemimah Rodrigue’s grabbed al the headlines for her stunning century which helped India beat Australia to clinch their place in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 final.
Scoring 127 off 134 deliveries, Jemimah Rodrigues helped India pull off a record chase of 338 with five wickets and nine balls to spare.
While on the other hand South Africa defeated four-time champion England by 125 runs in a high performance semi final in Assam Cricket Association stadium in Guwahati.
India shall now face South Africa on Sunday,2 November. But there are some questions which needs to be addressed. This writer is in conversation with Nilima Joglekar, former international Indian cricketer and try’s to finds out some of them.
Q: What are your thoughts on India reaching the finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025?
Nilima Joglekar: First of all, congratulations to the team for beating unbeaten Aussies in this World Cup. We have done it before in the semifinals of 2017 world cup when Mithali Raj was leading and Harmanpreet played the knock of 176. We were in the finals. We did it way back in 2005 when Anju Jain was the captain. In 2025 beating Australia in the semis, Jemima and her partnership first with the captain of 150+ then small but important partnership with Deepti Sharma and cameo innings by Richa Ghosh.
Q India had gone down against Australia, South Africa and England in the league matches. What tactics worked for the team during the semifinal?
Nilima Joglekar: BCCI appointed one sincere former cricketer from Mumbai who missed wearing the Indian jersey but now he wears it with pride. Amol Majumdar bought that “Khadus” Mumbai attitude and handled big players so well. He brought the best out of all the players and “team first attitude”.
Q : Your thoughts on Jemima Rodrigues.
Nilima Joglekar: Jemima did not celebrate her first world cup century. The work half done was her thought behind it. She looked so focused and determined and mature. She has adopted her game to bat at any number. That’s what made the difference in the semi final match against the Aussies.
Q: How should India take on the Proteas in the final? What should be their approach?
Nilima Joglekar: South Africa has played tremendous cricket in the tournament. In the last edition host South Africa was eliminated from the semifinals. But this time they look very strong. The captain leading from the front and leading the bowling attack is the senior most Marizanne Kapp taking five wickets in the first semifinals against England. They have played as a team and everyone is contributing.
The Indian ream approach should be the same playing eleven. If you win the toss bowl first. Dew will play a major role in the evening and it will be difficult to grip the ball. Though we have chased down a big score it was a lot of pressure. We have to be really sharp when fielding. Wicket in DY Patil stadium is good to bat so we can expect a good final showdown between India and South Africa.
The finals will also see either India or South Africa lift a women’s Cricket ODI World Cup trophy for the first time.
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