As the stage is set for India’s biggest night in women’s cricket, several Indian cricketers who missed out on the World Cup squad came together to send messages of support for their teammates. From Shreyanka Patil to Poonam Yadav, the heartfelt wishes poured in for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side ahead of their Women’s ODI World Cup final against South Africa on November 2.

India, brimming with confidence after their thrilling semi-final win over defending champions Australia, now stand one victory away from ending their long wait for a maiden ODI World Cup title. The anticipation is immense, the lights at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai will shine on a crowd ready to roar, as India look to script history on home soil.

In a special video shared by Star Sports, players like Shreyanka Patil, Poonam Yadav, Ragvi Bisht, Yastika Bhatia, Titas Sadhu, Shikha Pandey, and Sanjana Sajeevan extended their good wishes to the squad. Their messages reflected pride and belief, a reminder of how the entire cricketing fraternity stands behind the women in blue.

Watch the video:

This final marks India’s third appearance in a Women’s ODI World Cup final, and perhaps their most promising yet. The team has found the perfect blend of experience and youth, led by Harmanpreet Kaur’s composure, Smriti Mandhana’s form, and Richa Ghosh’s explosive finishing. But South Africa, who stormed past England in their semi-final, will not make it easy.

There’s a sense of unfinished business in this matchup. India haven’t beaten South Africa in an ODI World Cup since 2005 — a streak that adds an extra layer of motivation. Their previous clash in Visakhapatnam earlier in the tournament went down to the wire before Nadine de Klerk’s late surge turned it South Africa’s way.

But the beauty of a final is that everything resets. Past records fade, and what matters most is how each side handles the pressure of the moment. India’s familiarity with home conditions could give them a slender edge, but South Africa have already proved their adaptability across surfaces and situations.

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