Navi Mumbai: India rode on Shafali Verma’s blistering 87 and Deepti Sharma’s composed half-century to post a challenging 298/6 against South Africa in the ICC Women ‘s World Cup final, here on Sunday.

Put in to bat after a two-hour delayed start due to a wet outfield, India were off to a flying start as Shafali and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (45) added 104 for the opening wicket at nearly seven runs per over.

Shafali, drafted in for the semifinal against Australia following Pratika Rawal’s injury, continued her dream run with her first ODI fifty in over three years — her fifth overall — before falling for 87 off 78 balls with seven fours and two sixes.

South Africa clawed back through Ayabonga Khaka (3/58 from nine overs) and Nonkululeko Mlaba (1/47), who triggered a middle-overs s

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