India vs South Africa Women’s World Cup final delayed by rain in Mumbai

India vs South Africa Women’s World Cup Final faced a frustrating delay on Sunday as rain and a damp outfield disrupted the start of the highly anticipated clash in Mumbai.

Both teams are chasing their maiden 50-over world title, and a packed crowd was expected at the 45,000-seat DY Patil Stadium. The toss, initially scheduled earlier in the day, was postponed by half an hour to 3 p.m. IST (2:30 p.m. PKT), with the match rescheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. However, intermittent drizzle continued to threaten further delays.

India, who have finished runners-up twice—in 2005 and 2017—booked their place in the final with a thrilling win over seven-time champions Australia in the semi-final. South Africa reached their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup final by defeating four-time winners England in a commanding performance.

On the eve of the final, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur spoke about what a potential win could mean for women’s cricket in the country.

“Last time when we reached the final and came back to India, we saw a big change,” Kaur said on Saturday. “Women’s cricket moved ahead and we saw many girls on the ground. So I am sure that if we win this final, we will see many more changes and we will see more cricket, not only on the international level but also on the domestic level.

“So I think we are really looking forward to that moment when we will see women’s cricket in a more serious manner and we will see more girls (playing),” she added.

With history on the line and excitement in the air, the India vs South Africa Women's World Cup Final remains a potential landmark moment for both nations—one that could reshape the future of the women’s game.