"Smriti Mandhana doesn't need to work extra" - Former captain backs star opener to come good in IND W vs SA W Women's World Cup 2025 final

Former India women's team captain Anjum Chopra believes Smriti Mandhana will come good in the 2025 World Cup final against South Africa on Sunday, November 2. Chopra reckons the left-handed batter doesn't need much training in the lead up to the final, claiming she knows what to do in the game.

Mandhana is India's highest run-scorer, and the 2025 World Cup's second-highest, with 389 runs in eight innings, averaging a healthy 55.57. Her best of 109 came against New Zealand at the D.Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, in only 95 deliveries, setting the foundation for India's crucial victory. She also has a good strike rate of 102.36.

Speaking in the latest video of her YouTube channel, the 48-year-old stated that India can be a threat to South Africa, regardless of whether they bat first or second. She said (3:42):

"Smriti Mandhana doesn’t need to work extra. She is ready for the contest and she knows how to play in big games. The biggest factor I saw in the game against Australia was calmness. Remember, Harman said she would have batted had she won the toss in the semi-final. That means the players in the team know how to make a 300+ score if they are batting first. As far as run-chases go, we have seen the Indian team."

India scaled the highest run-chase in women's ODI history as they gunned down 339 against Australia in the World Cup semi-final with five wickets to spare, consigning the defending champions to a rare defeat. It came largely on the back of Jemimah Rodrigues' 134-ball 127-run knock.

"South Africa haven’t yet played in Navi Mumbai" - Anjum Chopra ahead of 2025 World Cup final

Chopra also pointed out that India will have an upper hand due as they are well-versed with the conditions. Commenting on the same, she added (5:19):

"Talking about bowlers. India have been weak against left-arm spin. I wouldn’t call it a weakness because if they played with caution, it wouldn’t have been a problem. India knows how to play spin. The element which will be an important one is South Africa haven’t yet played in Navi Mumbai. India have. If we match, South Africa and India both have capable players. Both have batting and bowling depth. South Africa have a deeper bowling unit. India fielded six bowlers in the semi-final and are likely to keep it the same. South Africa’s bowling might be deeper but India have the home advantage."

Both India and South Africa are yet to lift the 50-over World Cup trophy.