A short, sharp burst of rain interrupted South Africa’s evening nets on Saturday, and the DY Patil Stadium could see more of the same during Sunday’s Women’s World Cup final. The local forecast hints at passing showers rather than a wash-out, so officials remain cautiously upbeat.
Ground staff pulled the covers on just after 2 pm, moments after India’s squad had started their customary warm-up kick-about. No rain fell at that stage, and the players milled around the dug-out while a few damp patches—left over from a wet week in Navi Mumbai—were inspected. By 5 pm the nets were back up, though India opted for a trimmed-down session that wrapped up within the hour.
South Africa’s allotted slot began at 6 pm and rolled along quietly until 8.15 pm, when another brisk shower brought most of the squad sprinting for shelter. More than two-thirds of the outfield disappeared beneath the covers in minutes. “It blew through quicker than expected,” one member of the ground crew said, “but we’re satisfied the drainage is holding up.”
As things stand, the Met Office is predicting scattered showers between 1 pm and 7 pm on Sunday. The final starts at 3 pm, so short stoppages remain a possibility. Notably, the India–Australia semi-final at the same venue was interrupted only once, immediately after Alyssa Healy departed in the sixth over.
Tournament playing conditions leave room for manoeuvre. Should rain intervene, umpires will first trim overs, aiming for a minimum of 20 per side. If that fails to produce a result, play will roll into Monday’s reserve day, resuming from the point at which it halted.
“We can’t control the skies, only our preparation,” India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said earlier in the week. Opposite number Laura Wolvaardt struck a similar note: “Whatever the weather, it’s still cricket; we’ll stay ready.”
Whenever the result finally arrives, a new name will be etched on the Women’s ODI World Cup.
