'India wanted it more than us and...': South Africa head coach Hilton Mashimbyi lauds India’s fight after losing the Women's ODI World Cup 2025 final

South Africa head coach Hilton Mashimbyi believes that Harmanpreet-led India wanted to win the Women's World Cup more than the Proteas, and his side will give it a "good go" in the next edition of the mega event.

South Africa, who managed to seal berth for the third consecutive final in ICC women's events and first time in ODIs, lost to India by 52 runs in a contest where they were well placed in a chase of 299, with skipper Laura Wolvaardt (101) leading the charge.

"The way India played the game, they came out (hard) in the first 10 overs. We pegged them back in the last 40 overs. There was a time we were expecting them to score 350, 360. For them to not get to 300 was really a good effort from our bowlers," Mashimbyi told the media after the match on Sunday.

"(But) the way they (India) went about their business with the ball, the way they changed their bowlers gave them the edge because we couldn't get some rhythm as a batting unit."

"They kept on taking wickets at crucial stages. But they wanted it on the day, I think, they wanted it more than us and yeah, kudos to them. Well done. They deserve it to win a World Cup at home. We wouldn't want that," he said.

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Hilton Mashimbyi for South Africa's cricketing future

Head coach Mashimbyi reckons that South Africa will bounce back stronger in the next edition, having managed some commanding victories, including one over hosts India in the league stage.

"To see how the team has progressed from the time I took over, it's obviously a humbling experience for me. But at the same time, I'm sitting here and I'm actually kind of excited because when nobody gave us a chance, we gave ourselves a chance," he said.

"You look at the team and see where you need to improve, and I know what to do going forward and make sure that we leave no stone unturned."

India vs South Africa Women's ODI World Cup final

Coming back to the ODI World Cup 2025 final, after being asked to bat, India managed to score 298 for 7 in 50 overs. Ayabonga Khaka was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa, taking three wickets for 58 runs.

While chasing, Skipper Laura Wolvaardt anchored the innings with a century, and almost shifted the momentum of the game, but Deepti Sharma got rid of her and picked another wicket in the same over to dent South Africa's hopes to win the silverware. Deepti became the first Indian woman to take four wickets in a World Cup final and later completed her five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5 for 39.