IND vs SA 2025: What happened the first time India played in the Women's World Cup final in 2005?

Harmanpreet Kaur’s India and Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa are set to face off in the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. The title clash will take place on Sunday, November 2, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

South Africa booked their place in the summit clash after defeating England in the semi-final in Guwahati. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt led from the front with a sensational knock of 169 off 143 balls, laced with 20 fours and four sixes, guiding the team to a total of 319/7 in 50 overs.

In reply, England were bowled out for 194 in 42.3 overs, with Marizanne Kapp starring with the ball, claiming five wickets to seal a 125-run victory for the Proteas.

On the other hand, the Women in Blue stunned Australia in the other semi-final in Navi Mumbai. Despite Phoebe Litchfield’s brilliant 119 off 93 balls, which helped Australia post 338 all out in 49.5 overs, India mounted a strong chase.

Openers Shafali Verma (10) and Smriti Mandhana (24) fell cheaply, but Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur staged a stunning comeback with a 167-run stand off 156 balls for the third wicket. Harmanpreet scored 89, while Jemimah remained unbeaten on 127 off 134 balls, hitting 14 fours to guide India to a five-wicket win with nine balls to spare.

While this will be South Africa’s first-ever appearance in a Women’s ODI World Cup final, it marks India’s third, with their maiden outing in the summit clash dating back to 2005. On that note, here’s a look back at what happened when India reached their first Women’s World Cup final in 2005.

India Women’s maiden ODI World Cup appearance in 2005 ended in heartbreak against Australia

India and Australia faced off in the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2005 at SuperSport Park, Centurion, on April 10. Australia won the toss and opted to bat but didn’t get off to the best of starts, losing skipper Belinda Clark (19 off 33) and Lisa Keightley (5 off 19) cheaply.

Coming in at No. 3, Karen Rolton anchored one end while Mel Jones (17 off 47) endured a disappointing outing. Rolton then combined with Lisa Sthalekar to add a crucial 139-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Sthalekar contributed 55 off 75 balls, while Rolton remained unbeaten on 107 off 128 deliveries, striking 11 fours, as Australia finished their innings at 215/4 in 50 overs.

In response, Anju Jain scored 29 off 52 balls, while her opening partner Jaya Sharma fell for five off 26. Anjum Chopra (10 off 31) and skipper Mithali Raj (6 off 14) also struggled to make an impact. In the middle order, Rumeli Dhar (6 off 12) and Hemlata Kala (3 off 13) were dismissed cheaply.

Amita Sharma (22 off 51) and Jhulan Goswami (18 off 38) offered brief resistance, but it wasn’t enough as the Women in Blue were bowled out for 117 in 46 overs, handing Australia a 98-run victory and their fifth World Cup title.

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Edited by Dev Sharma