Post by : Rameen Ariff

History was made at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday as India’s women’s cricket team lifted its first-ever Women’s World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a gripping final that kept a packed crowd on its feet till the last ball.

The emotional triumph marked the end of a decades-long quest for global success, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her teammates breaking down in tears as they celebrated the country’s most significant achievement in women’s cricket.

The journey to the top was anything but smooth. After suffering three consecutive defeats in the league stage — including one against South Africa — India’s campaign seemed to be slipping away. Yet, the Women in Blue showed resilience, staging a stunning turnaround that culminated in a record-breaking semifinal win over defending champions Australia before sealing the title in style.

Shafali Verma: The Unexpected Star

In a match filled with nerves and high stakes, Shafali Verma emerged as India’s unlikely hero. Drafted into the squad only before the knockout rounds as an injury replacement, the young opener delivered a scintillating 87-run knock, setting the tone for India’s strong total of 298/7. Her innings, full of aggression and confidence, shifted the momentum early on and gave India a solid foundation.

Verma wasn’t done yet. With the ball, she turned the match once again by picking up two crucial wickets, derailing South Africa’s chase just when skipper Laura Wolvaardt seemed poised to snatch the game away. Her all-round brilliance earned her the Player of the Match award in the final.

Deepti Sharma’s All-Round Excellence

The spotlight also shone brightly on Deepti Sharma, whose consistency throughout the tournament was instrumental in India’s success. Her vital 58 runs off 58 balls and an exceptional bowling spell of 5 for 39 in the final ensured South Africa never recovered after Wolvaardt’s dismissal.

Deepti ended the tournament with 22 wickets and 215 runs, a performance that rightly earned her the Player of the Tournament accolade.

South Africa’s Brave Battle

South Africa’s campaign, led by the in-form Laura Wolvaardt, was equally commendable. The captain scored her second consecutive century (101) of the tournament, guiding her side to a competitive start. However, once she holed out in the deep, India took full control, bowling South Africa out for 246 in 46 overs.

Despite the heartbreak, Wolvaardt praised her team’s effort. “We’ve played some brilliant cricket throughout but were outplayed today. India played fantastically well,” she said after the match.

Emotions Overflow for Team India

For India, the victory was deeply emotional. Opener Smriti Mandhana, who finished as India’s leading run-scorer of the tournament, struggled to hold back tears.
“It’s still sinking in,” she said. “Every World Cup we’ve had heartbreaks, but this time, it feels unreal. We carried the hope of millions, and tonight, it’s all worth it.”

As fireworks lit up the Navi Mumbai sky, India’s players embraced on the field — a moment that will forever be etched in cricketing history.

With this win, India not only claimed the Women’s World Cup 2025 title but also cemented its place among the global powerhouses of women’s cricket, inspiring a new generation of girls to dream bigger than ever before.

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