Navi Mumbai: It will be a defining moment in Indian sports history as the Indian women’s cricket team competes in the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai won its first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup trophy with a comfortable 52-run win over South Africa.
A sensational all-round performance from Deepti Sharma and a blistering innings from Shafali Verma took India to a total of 298 for seven before they bowled out South Africa for 246 and secured victory in front of a rousing home crowd.
An unforgettable night in Navi Mumbai
India, which had suffered severe heartbreak in several previous World Cups, finally crossed the finish line after years of narrow failure. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, overcome with emotion, summed up the mood perfectly:
“Every time after every World Cup, we discussed crossing this barrier. This is the beginning. We wanted to break this barrier and our next plan is to make this a habit.”
For millions of fans across the country, this wasn’t just a sporting triumph – it was a validation of years of hard work, perseverance and belief in women’s cricket.
Verma’s early fire ignites the stage
The day started with drizzle and a two-hour delay, but the rain couldn’t take away the anticipation. As the game began, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana walked towards the crease like women on a mission.
Verma immediately found her rhythm, cracked Marizanne Kapp for a boundary break and then followed up with a beautiful drive that caused a stir in the stands. Mandhana followed her partner’s intention and unleashed a barrage of boundaries that took India past the 50 mark within seven overs.
Their partnership was blossoming beautifully until Mandhana fell to 45 and fell behind trying to cut off Chloe Tryon. Verma was unfazed and scored a scintillating 87 off 78 balls, combining raw power with grace.
Their innings, peppered with nine fours and two sixes, set the tone for India’s dominance. Jemimah Rodrigues contributed 24 and Harmanpreet Kaur added a brisk 20 before Deepti Sharma took control of the final phase of the innings.
Sharma’s composed 58 off 56 balls, coupled with Richa Ghosh’s explosive cameo of 34, took India to an impressive total of 298 – a score just good enough for a World Cup final.
Deepti Sharma gives double the joy
While Sharma’s batting was calm and elegant, her bowling was pure artistry. South Africa began the chase confidently, with Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits adding 50 for the opening wicket.
Wolvaardt, the tournament’s most consistent player, was once again up to the challenge, scoring a fluent 101 off 98 balls. Her innings surpassed Alyssa Healy’s record for most runs (510) in a single edition of the World Cup.
But India’s bowlers hit back with surgical precision. Amanjot Kaur’s sharp throw gave the British a 23-0 lead, while debutant Sree Charani found Anneke Bosch for a duck. When Verma came to bowl, the tide turned dramatically – she removed both Sune Luus and Kapp in quick succession.
And then came the moment everyone will remember – Deepti Sharma’s spell that dashed South Africa’s hopes. Bowling with control and guile, she took 5 for 39 to move through the bottom order.
Each goal sent shockwaves through the packed stadium, but it was Wolvaardt’s dismissal – caught brilliantly by Amanjot Kaur after juggling the ball three times – that sealed the deal.
Scenes of euphoria
As the last wicket fell, cheers erupted at the DY Patil Stadium. Flags flew, tears flowed and shouts of “India! India!” rang out. filled the air. The players hugged each other, some falling to their knees in disbelief.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur lifted the trophy to fireworks and thunderous applause. Her words sounded purposeful: “We stayed positive when we lost three games in a row. We knew what we had to do and everyone gave it their all. This team deserves to be here. This isn’t the end – it’s just the beginning.”
Heroes of the finale
– Shafali Verma was adjudged player of the match for her swashbuckling 87 and two crucial wickets.
– Deepti Sharma deservedly received the Player of the Tournament award for her all-round brilliance – both with the bat and the ball throughout the season.
– Amanjot Kaur, whose catch decided the game, summed up the collective emotion:
“That catch from Wolvaardt was everything. I fumbled at first, but I’m glad I made it the second time. This is just the beginning. We’re going to dominate the world.”
Tears, triumph and Tendulkar
In a touching moment, Verma revealed how the sight of Sachin Tendulkar in the stands lifted her spirits: “When I saw him, it gave me an incredible boost. He is the master of cricket and his belief in me means everything.”
Verma’s words reflected the faith of a generation that had grown up with Indian cricket’s greatest icons and was now inspiring a new wave of heroes.
Smriti Mandhana, visibly emotional, added: “At every World Cup we came close but didn’t make it. To see ‘Champions India’ on the screen today – it’s a surreal moment. We’ve been waiting for this all our lives.”
A dream fulfilled, a legacy begun
The win is also a testament to India’s preparation and mental resilience under head coach Amol Muzumdar, who described it as “a turning point for Indian cricket”.
“They have worked terribly hard. We have never seen defeats as failures – just as lessons. The way they showed up today in a packed final is magical.”
South Africa’s courageous fight
Despite the heartache, South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt remained proud: “We’ve been either really good or really bad in this tournament, but for the most part really good. India were undoubtedly better today. Still, I’m proud of how far we’ve come.”
Their century was a masterclass in patience and strength, but without the support of the middle class the chase faltered. Annerie Dercksen’s spirited 35 with two massive sixes gave a glimmer of hope before Sharma’s brilliance extinguished it.
The last word
As the fireworks faded in the Navi Mumbai sky, the magnitude of India’s achievement began to sink in. The wait was over. After decades of heartbreak – from the final defeat in 2005 to the near miss in 2017 – India finally emerged as world champions.
For fans, it was more than just a trophy – it was a symbol of faith, perseverance and the rise of women’s cricket in India.
And for Harmanpreet Kaur and her warriors, it’s not just about a night of glory – it’s about setting a legacy in motion.
“We have been waiting for this moment for years,” Harmanpreet said, clutching the trophy. “Now that it’s here, we want to make it a habit.”
Final result list:
India: 298/7 (50 overs) – Verma 87, Sharma 58, Khaka 3/58
South Africa: 246 all out (45.3 overs) – Wolvaardt 101, Dercksen 35, Sharma 5/39
Result: India won by 52 runs
Player of the Match: Shafali Verma
Player of the tournament: Deepti Sharma
