India’s record in Women’s World Cup finals: Can they finally end the wait in front of home fans?

India’s women’s cricket team will take on South Africa in the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup final, a match that could rewrite history. The final, to be played in front of home fans on Sunday, November 2, gives India their best-ever chance to win a maiden ICC title after years of heartbreaks in previous finals.

For a team that has been far from consistent over the years, the world title has always slipped away, either by a narrow margin or due to pressure on the big day. This time, with players like Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma in fine form, India will be hoping to finally get over the line.

2005 ODI World Cup Final

India played their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup final in 2005 at Centurion against Australia. Batting first, Australia scored 215/4, led by Karen Rolton’s unbeaten 107 and Lisa Sthalekar’s 55. The chase proved too big for India as they were bowled out for 117, and Australia won comfortably by 98 runs.

2017 ODI World Cup Final

Twelve years later, India were back in the final, this time at Lord’s, facing home side England. England batted first and made 228/7, with Nat Sciver-Brunt scoring 51 and Sarah Taylor 45. India’s chase began strongly as Punam Raut made 86, Harmanpreet Kaur scored 51, and Veda Krishnamurthy added 35. However, when India needed just 31 runs from 36 balls with five wickets in hand, the team suffered a dramatic collapse. England won by just 9 runs, leaving India heartbroken once again.

2020 T20 World Cup Final

In 2020, India reached their first T20 World Cup final, once again against Australia, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia’s openers Alyssa Healy (75) and Beth Mooney (78) powered the hosts to 184/4. Deepti Sharma took 2 wickets but the Indian batting fell apart under pressure, all out for 99. Australia sealed an 85-run win in front of home fans.

India’s overall record in Women’s World Cup finals (ODI & T20)

• Finals played: 3 (2005, 2017, 2020)

• Final results: Lost all three

• Best batting performance in a final: Punam Raut - 86 (vs England, 2017)

• Best bowling in a final: Jhulan Goswami - 3/23 (vs England, 2017)

India’s all-time ODI World Cup stats

• Matches played: 78

• Won: 41

• Lost: 34

• Win percentage: 53.94%

• Most runs: Mithali Raj - 1,321 (Avg 47.17)

• Most wickets: Jhulan Goswami - 43 (Avg 21.74)

India’s women are once again on the verge of creating history. The memories of near misses in 2005, 2017, and 2020 will still be in the back of their minds. If they can hold their nerve under pressure, the 2025 final against South Africa could be the day India’s ICC title dream finally comes true.