The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 will see the final India collide with South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, both chasing their maiden title.
India enter the final on the back of a historic chase against Australia, sparked by Jemimah Rodrigues’ century and Harmanpreet Kaur’s power hit. South Africa, led by the in-form Laura Wolvaardthave a balanced attack led by an all-rounder Marizanne Kapp.
The influence of dew factor during the semi-final between India and Australia in Navi Mumbai
The second semi-final of the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup on the dr. DY Patil Sports Academy on October 30 saw India secure a historic victory by chasing Australia’s mammoth total of 338. The outcome was profoundly determined by the dew factor that emerged under the lights in the evening. Australia’s decision to bat first after winning the toss proved to be a crucial tactical error as the heavy dew made the ball slippery and difficult for their bowlers, especially the spinners, to hold effectively.
This struggle led to a loss of control of line and length, which was reflected in the high number of 26 extras awarded (including 17 wides), gifting crucial runs to the chasing side. Conversely, the damp surface and slippery ball created a batting advantage for the Indian chasers, particularly Rodrigues (127 not out) and Harmanpreet (89), allowing the ball to slide cleanly onto the bat. The record-breaking chase of 339, the highest ever in Women’s ODI history, was thus made possible by the combination of a flat, high-scoring delivery and the overwhelming influence of the dew, which turned the second innings into a significantly favorable batting proposition.
Key facts: The effect of the dew factor during the chase
| Important fact | Observation and impact on the match result |
| Result of the match | India successfully pursued 339, setting a new record for the highest successful chase in Women’s ODI and World Cup knockout history. |
| Australia’s toss decision | It was decided to go first, but this turned out to be a tactical error because the dew has descended In the evening, compromising their bowling power. |
| Bowler’s battle | Heavy dew made the ball slippery and wet, causing Australian bowlers (especially spinners) to struggle greatly with grip, control and execution of their lines. |
| Extras allowed | Australia gave away 26 extras (17 of which were wides), a direct result of the wet ball, providing crucial unearned runs to the Indian total. |
| Battle advantage | The slippery conditions allowed the ball to slide on the bat for the Indian batters, allowing Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur to effectively time their shots for a successful chase. |
India vs South Africa CWC 2025 final: Preview
The most influential environmental factor in the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup final will be the heavy dew expected to descend on the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai during the second innings under the floodlights. The combination of high humidity and the location’s proximity to the coast in late October/early November guarantees a slippery, wet outfield and a ball that is extremely difficult for bowlers to control as the match progresses into the evening. This phenomenon has proven to be a defining feature of the night games at this venue throughout the tournament, strongly shifting the advantage to the chasing side.
The main impact is felt by the bowlers, especially the spinners, who form the backbone of both India and South Africa’s middle-overs attack. Deepti Sharma (India) and Nonkululeko Mlaba (South Africa) will find it almost impossible to grip the ball for turns, flights and subtle variations, turning the pitch on the red ground into an unresponsive court. For seamers like Renuka Singh Thakur and Ayabonga Khaka, executing precise lines and lengths, or bowling cutters and slower balls, becomes a big challenge. Conversely, the ball slides more smoothly on the bat, making it easier for second-innings batters to time their shots and find the boundary on a generally flat surface with fast outfields. This stark difference in playing conditions between the two innings makes the toss a crucial moment, forcing the captain who wins the toss to choose to bowl first in order to take advantage of the better batting conditions later.
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Dew Factor: Final Terms of Navi Mumbai
The expected impact of the dew factor is summarized in the table below:
| Condition/Phase | Impact on the game | Strategic implication |
| Time of effect | Starts in the late evening (second innings). | Toss winner will bowl first. |
| Pitch & Ball | The ball becomes slippery and heavy due to moisture from the air and the outfield. | The effectiveness of spinners is drastically reduced; grip becomes impossible. |
| Hit | Ball slides on the bat; reduces variations; fast outfield. | The chasing team gains a significant advantage; Scoring points becomes easier. |
| Target score | The team batting first should aim for a score significantly above target (e.g. 300+) to neutralize the dew effect. | Scoreboard pressure alone is less effective in a chase affected by dew. |
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This article was first published on WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
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