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Haarne Ke Baad Kya Feeling Hoti, Hame Aache Se Pata Hai; Jeetne Ke Baad Kya Feeling Hoti That Is What We Want We Are Looking Forward to (We know how it feels to lose; now we want to experience the feeling after winning, which is what we are looking forward to win), an emotionally charged Harmanpreet Kaur stated in her pre-match press conference at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The one comment by the Indian captain perfectly described the journey of the team over the last few years. Ever since the 2017 World Cup heartbreak, where they missed out on the trophy despite having one hand on it, the Indian women's team story has been one of too near but yet so far. After unbeaten campaigns in the 2018 and 2020 T20 World Cup, they lost out in the semis and finals before defeats to Australia in the 2022 CWG final and 2023 T20 World Cup semi-final in thrilling clashes. For South Africa, the story is no different. If anything, the wounds are fresher. While they will play the final of the ODI World Cup for the first time, it is the third consecutive year of them playing a global event's summit clash, having lost out in the T20 World Cup final in 2023 at home to Australia and in 2024 to New Zealand in Dubai. Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt admitted learning harsh lessons from the same and not looking too far ahead "I think in those finals, or the first time I was in the final, you automatically think about the trophy and think about winning and sort of get excited. Now I'm just really trying to stay in the present. We still have a really big game ahead of us against a really quality side. I'm trying not to think too far ahead. Just really need to focus on what I need to do tonight at practice and then what I need to do tomorrow morning. Just really sort of slow it down. I think the first time you're in those finals, it feels like a really big, fast-paced event. Whereas I think we need to slow it down and take a big breath and hopefully be able to do that as a group," Laura stated on the eve of the final. If there was ever a game where one could hope for two winners, it would be this. However, one team will have their date with destiny, while the other will have another heartbreak to add to their collection. A Final That Will Change Women's Cricket Forever Whoever the winner, a massive moment for women's cricket is on the cards with a first-time winner. The final is already a historic one, with England and Australia not being part of the summit clash for the first time since the tournament's inception. Something both captains called a huge moment for the health of the game. It feels good that two different teams have come. Because we have seen for many years that Australia has been dominating in one cricket. And England has also played in the same stage. And it feels good that two different teams have come. Because of that, there is more excitement. And our reaching the final is also very special. Not only for us, but for the Indian fans also," said Harmanpreet. "Definitely very good for the health of the sport. I think it's very exciting that we have a potential new champion of the World Cup. I think it just shows how much the women's game is developing and how different countries are being able to use new resources and develop really good quality cricketers. I think like you team, the Indian team, the WPL, how many new cricketers have surfaced and what a good cricketer they've been playing lately. I think we've also come a long way as a team and I'm really proud of the strides that we've made in the last couple of years. So yeah, I'm very excited for the opportunity to be able to play in the final," said Laura. Craze For Tickets While not as much as the 86,714 people that assembled at the MCG for the 2020 Women's T20 World Cup final, a record crowd for an ODI World Cup final is expected tomorrow, or at least for one matching the attedance at Eden Gardens in 1997. One look outside the DY Patil stadium showed many fans trying to get their hands on a ticket and be part of an audience, which could potentially see history be created. Indian captain Harmanpreet admitted she was being asked for tickets too and joked it was good too have a pressure of that too. "There are very few days when there is pressure on the intuitive things. So, I think it feels good that, you know, not only cricket, but there is also pressure on the tickets," the Indian captain stated. Asked on South Africa's plans to tackle the big crowd that will be cheering for India, a confident Wolvaardt stated 'Hoepfully, we win.' Pitch And Weather Report The first look at the pitch suggests a track that will be another flat trick with a high-scoring match on offer, as has been the trend. While rain has hit Navi Mumbai over the last few days, the chances of the same are almost less than 30%. However, the threat of that and dew could force the teams to bowl first. Harmanpreet kept mum on the teams plans for the toss and any changes in the playing XI. A day before the final, despite a cloudy morning, the rain stayed away, and the sun came out in time for the practice session of both teams in the evening. Both India and South Africa were hard at work at the DY Patil Stadium on the eve of the game, while the venue also prepared for a grand closing ceremony, which will take place during the mid-innings break. "We are already discussing that because during the semi-final game, we know that we have always played high scoring games even in the past we have played such a big figure.So, we are already discussing about that but keeping the weather in mind and everything in mind we will see how conditions are tomorrow and when we take off. "We will reveal it during the match. I don't think I am even allowed to say. But, yeah, I mean, whoever gets the opportunity, we have done our best. So, that is the biggest thing for us. Because, whoever gets the opportunity, coming up in the best performances, I think that's the biggest thing for us," said Harman. While India has played three games at the venue, South Africa will play their first game in Navi Mumbai. Wolvaardt admitted it will be a challenge as a captain, although the conditions are something she will enjoy as a player. "Yeah, I enjoy it as a batter, but not so much as a captain, the super-flat wickets. But yeah, like you said, obviously it's going to be a really big crowd, probably the biggest crowd that a lot of our goals have played in front of. A lot of eyeballs on the game, a lot of added pressure and yeah, probably pretty batting friendly.So it might be pretty high scoring, which is why I think if we're just able to stay really calm, that'll be really important. It may feel like there's a lot happening tomorrow with boundaries and the crowd and the noise, but I think we just need to stay as grounded as possible and as focused as we can on the moment and what we need to do," said Wolvaardt. A 50-50 Game While both teams have had a roller-coaster campaign, their head-to-head in the World Cup is level at 3-3 with nothing to differentiate the teams. The same is the case on paper looking at the quality of the sides, and it will take a brave person to predict the winner beforehand. Overall, India dominates head-to-head in Women's ODI 20-13. However, in the Women's World Cup, the Proteas have won each of the last three matches between the two sides Celebration On The Cards For one team, a dream will come true. Indian captain Harmanpreet stated that no plans need to be made for such an occasion if they win and admitted it something they have visualized and dreamt for years Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Sports, Cricket and around the world.
