India Creates History with Maiden Women’s World Cup Triumph Over South Africa
Shafali Verma’s brilliance and Deepti Sharma’s all-round heroics power India to their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup title in front of a jubilant home crowd.
It was a night of glory, grit, and golden history at the DY Patil Stadium as India lifted their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final.
In a packed stadium echoing with chants of “India, India,” the home team delivered a performance that will be etched forever in the annals of cricketing history.
Opting to bat first after a rain-delayed start, India displayed remarkable intent from the outset. The opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma set the tone for the innings, putting on a commanding 104-run partnership that laid a solid foundation.
Mandhana, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, crafted a fluent 45 before being dismissed by Chloe Tryon’s clever spin, but it was Verma’s breathtaking 87 off just 78 balls that stole the show early on.
Drafted into the team as a late replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal, Verma’s innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression. With seven boundaries and two towering sixes, she dominated the South African bowlers, racing to her half-century in just 49 balls.
Her fearless batting electrified the home fans and set the tone for what would become India’s night of triumph.
After Verma’s departure, Deepti Sharma took charge of the middle overs with calm authority. The all-rounder’s crucial 58, backed by a cameo from Richa Ghosh (34), guided India to a formidable total of 298-7. Though at one point a 350-plus score looked possible, the disciplined South African bowlers, particularly Ayabonga Khaka (3-58), managed to contain the flow of runs in the closing overs.
In response, South Africa began their chase with determination, led by their ever-reliable captain Laura Wolvaardt. The skipper put up a fighting 101 — her second consecutive century — showcasing both skill and leadership under pressure. Wolvaardt’s partnerships with Tazmin Brits and Sune Luus gave the visitors early hope, but India’s bowlers struck at key moments to turn the tide.
It was Verma again who provided the breakthrough with her part-time spin, dismissing two batters in quick succession to break South Africa’s rhythm.
From that point, the pressure mounted, and when Wolvaardt finally fell in the 42nd over, holing out to Amanjot Kaur after a fine catch, India knew the championship was within reach.
Deepti Sharma then sealed her remarkable night by completing a five-wicket haul (5-39), capping off one of the finest all-round performances ever seen in a World Cup final.
The DY Patil Stadium erupted as India bowled out South Africa for 246 in 45.3 overs. Players, fans, and support staff celebrated with unrestrained emotion — a culmination of years of hard work, belief, and a dream that had eluded the Indian women’s cricket team for decades.
With this historic win, India joins the elite group of nations — Australia, England, and New Zealand — to have lifted the coveted Women’s World Cup trophy.
The victory also marked a significant milestone for women’s cricket in India, highlighting how far the sport has come in terms of talent, strategy, and global recognition.
“This is a dream come true. Every player in this team has given her heart out for the nation,” said captain Harmanpreet Kaur, her voice trembling with emotion during the post-match ceremony. “This victory belongs to every girl in India who dreams of playing cricket.”
The triumph at Navi Mumbai was not just a victory in a tournament — it was a statement of power, perseverance, and passion. India’s women have redefined sporting excellence, showing that when determination meets opportunity, history is rewritten.
