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South Africa batting all-rounder Anneke Bosch made the unfortunate case of dropping the worst catch in the Women’s World Cup history on Sunday (November 2). The usually safe fielder put down a sitter from India’s Shafali Verma in the final of the 2025 edition at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, much to the pleasure of a huge crowd gathered to support the hosts. It happened on the first ball of the 21st over. Spinner Sune Luus looped it up, and the Indian opener completely toe-ended it high and straight to deep mid-wicket. Bosch settled under it almost perfectly but went with hard hands, letting the ball bounce and pop off her palms. The crowd erupted in cheers, making the moment even worse for her. Watch it here: This wasn’t Shafali Verma catch drop — it was South Africa dropping the World Cup!? ??#WomensWorldCup2025#INDWvsSAW#INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/wngXiY1uqy — veena pandey (@veenapa63862707) November 2, 2025 Shafali, playing only her second match of the World Cup, having made a comeback as an emergency replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal, was batting at 56 (55) at the time. She hit a six and two more boundaries after that, eventually getting out for 87 (78). Incidentally, when she did get out, the catcher was Luus. The Indian right-hander tried to drive a lofted one over covers against Ayabonga Khaka in the 28th over, but mis-timed it, and Luus didn’t make any mistakes on mid-off. Bosch would be relieved. She hasn’t had the best time in the tournament overall, scoring in single digits in four of her five innings so far in the World Cup. India lose Jemimah Rodrigues India started the match excellently, with Smriti Mandhana and Shafali going unbeaten through the powerplay. Mandhana got out after a 104-run stand in the 18th over. Shafali’s wicket quickly after that would have put the hosts in a bad spot. She eventually went on to have a 62-run partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues. However, Shafali’s wicket brought a third in quick succession. After just 11 balls, Rodrigues, the match-winner of the semi-final, ended up driving one straight to Laura Wolvaardt at short covers against Khaka.
