Two teams, one dream: Ultimate battle for the sake of women's cricket

THE final frontier. The ultimate battle. The summit clash. There are numerous ways to describe the ODI World Cup final between India and South Africa to be played at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday. None better than the one thing that matters this is the pinnacle of women's cricket contest.

- GOMESH S

A tournament that began two years before the first men's ODI World Cup (1975), one that take place every four years, with the champions taking home the most coveted silverware there is in the women's game. And for 52 years, India and South Africa have watched from the sidelines as Australia and England held the trophies between them, while New Zealand won once in 2000. Sunday will be the first time a Women's World Cup final will be played without at least one of Australia or England.

For the first time in 25 years, there will be a new World Champion. It will be a contest between two nations where women's sport is still on the rise. A win will help galvanize the popularity of the game.