ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 will watch the final India clash with South Africa At the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, both were chasing their maiden title.
India reached the final on the back of a historic run-chase against Australia on the back of Jemimah Rodrigues’ century and Harmanpreet Kaur’s power hitting. South African captaincy is in form Laura WolvaardtBoast a balanced attack led by the all-rounder marijane kapp,
Effect of dew factor during India vs Australia semi-final in Navi Mumbai
Second ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-finals India chased down Australia’s mammoth score of 338 to achieve a historic win at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy on 30 October. The dew factor that emerged in the evening light affected the result to a great extent. Australia’s decision to bat first after winning the toss proved to be a serious tactical error, as heavy dew made the ball slick and difficult for their bowlers, especially the spinners, to catch effectively.
This struggle led to a loss of control over line and length, which was reflected in a huge tally of 26 extra runs (including 17 wides), giving away vital runs to the team chasing the target. Conversely, the damp surface and smooth ball provided batting advantage for the Indian batsmen, especially Rodrigues (127 not out) and Harmanpreet (89), allowing the ball to slide easily onto the bat. The record-breaking target of 339, the highest ever score in women’s ODI history, was made possible by a combination of a flat, high-scoring pitch and the forceful effect of dew, which turned the second innings into quite a favorable batting proposition.
Key Facts: Effect of Dew Factor in Chasing
| key facts | Observations and impact on match outcome |
| match result | India successfully chased 339, sets a new record for the highest successful run-chase in VOMN ODI and World Cup knockout history. |
| Australia’s toss decision | It was decided to bat first, but it turned out to be a tactical error the dew froze In the evening, he compromised his bowling strength. |
| bowler’s struggle | Heavy dew made the ball slick and wet, causing the Australian bowlers (especially the spinners) to struggle with grip, control and execution of their lines. |
| additional accepted | Australia conceded 26 extras (including 17 wides), a direct result of the wet ball, which added significant, unearned runs to the Indian total. |
| batting advantage | The poor conditions resulted in the ball slipping on the bat for the Indian batsmen, giving Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur the opportunity to place their shots effectively to chase down the successful target. |
India vs South Africa CWC 2025 Final: Preview
The most impactful environmental factor in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final will be the heavy dew that is expected to settle at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai during the second innings under floodlights. The combination of high humidity and the venue’s coastal proximity in late October/early November guarantees a slick, wet outfield and a ball that is extremely difficult for bowlers to control as the match progresses into the evening. This incident has proved to be a defining feature of night games at this venue throughout the tournament, causing huge losses to the team chasing the target.
The primary impact is on the bowlers, especially the spinners, who are the backbone of both India and South Africa’s middle overs attack. Deepti Sharma (India) and Nonkululeko Mlaba (SA) will find it almost impossible to hold the ball thanks to turn, flight and subtle variations, effectively turning the red clay pitch into an unresponsive track. For fast bowlers like Renuka Singh Thakur and Ayabonga Khaka, bowling the exact line and length, or cutters and slower balls, becomes a big challenge. Conversely, the ball slides onto the bat more easily, making it easier for batsmen in the second innings to time their shots and find the boundary on a generally flat surface with a fast outfield. This huge difference in playing conditions between the two innings makes the toss a crucial moment, forcing the captain who wins it to bowl first to take advantage of better batting conditions later on.
Also read: Ellyse Perry opens up after Australia’s loss to India in the Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-finals
Dew Factor: Navi Mumbai Final Conditions
The anticipated impact of the dew factor is summarized in the table below:
| status/stage | impact on sport | strategic implications |
| time of impact | The setting starts in the late evening (second innings). | Whoever wins the toss will bowl first. |
| pitch and ball | Wind and moisture from the outfield cause the ball to become smooth and heavy. | The effectiveness of the spinners has reduced significantly; Grip becomes impossible. |
| batting | The ball slipped on the bat; reduces variations; Fast outfield. | The chasing team has a significant advantage; It becomes easier to score runs. |
| target score | The team batting first should aim for a high enough score (e.g. 300+) to neutralize the effect of dew. | Scoreboard pressure alone is less effective in a game affected by dew. |
Also read: ICC unveils list of match officials for India vs South Africa Women’s World Cup 2025 final
This article was first published here WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.