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South Africa Women is an easy ticket or a thorn in India's way to maiden World Cup title?

Soumyajit Dutta

India Women vs South Africa Women [Source: AFP Photos]India Women vs South Africa Women [Source: AFP Photos]

The 'definitely not' so favourites of the Women's World Cup trophy, Women in Blue, have come a long way in the tournament after beating the Queens of the Cup, Australia Women, in the semi-final on Thursday. It was perhaps the biggest upset of the tournament. But what's crazier is that South Africa Women's team is on the lookout for the trophy as well.

Sandwiched between two of their lowest World Cup scores, SA-W pulled off magnificent wins to put their name beside the 'TBD' slot in the Final. Now, they face India Women, where both teams are hunting for their maiden World Cup title. Unexpected maiden contenders steal the limelight, but the question remains... Which team will take the cake?

The 'possible' thorns in India's way

Now, many will side for India, given their dominant performances throughout the tournament, but the Nadine de Klerk nightmare in the 10th ODI match will be a hard pill to swallow as Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. will step onto the Navi Mumbai ground on November 2.

However, it's not only Nadine who can eat away India's dreams. Hope of 1.4 billion people also hinges on the depth of the Proteas Women's batting lineup that can make or break the game for the Women in Blue. Laura Wolvaardt, the skipper, Marizanne Kapp, the star all-rounder and Chloe Lesleigh Tryon are still the thorn in India's quest for a title that has stayed aloof from them for 47 years.

Yes, Jemimah Rodrigues has delivered a coming-of-age performance in the semi final with his unbeaten 127, and hopes are high for her, but what if the top order collapses? Over-reliance on some particular batters has been the recurring problem for India Women for a long time now, and the shambolic collapse that comes after that is even more painful. Yet, it's India's party. 

Can India palm the hope of 1.4 billion people?

India has dominated South Africa in the ODI scene with 20 wins from 34 matches and almost all of them by a dominant margin. However, the situation still remains tricky. An average score of 195 is what India Women have put against the Proteas since 1997, and given the recent stature of Women's cricket, only a total of 280+ (if India bats first) seems respectable for the hosts to put up as a chasing score.

To have a breather, India Women's average score this tournament has been above 280, and though they choked against South Africa earlier, after defeating Australia, the confidence boost will be enough to face the Wolvaardt & Co. wall.

Be it India or South Africa, history will be written on November 2, 2025, as a new winner's name will be attached to the World Cup Trophy that night. Whether India will be able to eliminate South Africa's stinging thorns for an easy pass or not remains to be seen.