Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has suggested that Sneh Rana should be included in the playing XI for the Women in Blue in the Women’s World Cup 2025 final. He emphasized that the spin-bowling all-rounder could be particularly valuable with the bat during a run chase.
India is set to face South Africa in the Women’s World Cup 2025 final in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, November 2. The Indian team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, secured a five-wicket victory against Australia in the second semi-final at the same venue on Thursday, October 30. Meanwhile, the Proteas women dominated England by 125 runs in the first semi-final in Guwahati a day earlier.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ the former opener urged the Indian team to avoid unforced errors in the field. He also recommended that Sneh Rana replace Radha Yadav in the playing XI.
“What are the things India need to control? Unforced errors. Don’t drop catches. It didn’t prove expensive last time, but it can. It proved expensive for Australia. They gave Jemimah Rodrigues two chances, and the result is there for everyone to see. If we give a chance to Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, or Marizanne Kapp, we will be done,” Chopra said (3:45).
“I won’t talk about the toss because we don’t win. So don’t worry about that. Don’t mind, we can chase. Dew comes here and the ball starts coming nicely onto the bat. Play Sneh Rana in place of Radha Yadav because Sneh Rana’s batting might be very useful for you while chasing. She bowls off-spin in any case. She is a very decent player. Don’t change anything else,” he added.
So far in the Women’s World Cup 2025, Sneh Rana has taken seven wickets at an economy rate of 5.67 in six innings. However, Radha Yadav replaced her in the last two games for the co-hosts, picking up four wickets at an economy of 6.85.
### Expectations from Indian Batters
In the same video, Aakash Chopra expressed his hopes that key Indian batters like Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma would perform well in the final.
“I am expecting runs from Smriti Mandhana’s bat. I am very eager to see fours and sixes from Shafali Verma’s bat. Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh, Amanjot Kaur, Deepti Sharma — we shall do it. Only best wishes for them,” he said (4:35).
### India’s Journey and Confidence
Chopra acknowledged that India’s campaign in the league phase was not perfect, with three consecutive losses that tested the team’s resolve. Nevertheless, their win against Australia in the semi-final would boost their confidence.
“It hasn’t been a fairytale World Cup for the Indian women’s team. You lost three consecutive matches and the heart broke more than once. In such a scenario, self-doubts creep in. After that, you changed your combination. A lot happened in this World Cup. A time comes in any trophy-winning campaign when everyone feels they are invincible. This was the semi-final moment,” Chopra observed.
### Outlook on the Final
Aakash Chopra expressed quiet confidence in India’s chances of lifting the Women’s World Cup 2025 trophy. While he acknowledged that the Women in Blue might not have been the best team overall in the tournament, he pointed out that they are peaking at the right time.
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*Edited by Kartik Iyer.*
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/news-she-decent-player-aakash-chopra-suggests-change-india-s-xi-women-s-world-cup-2025-final
