NAVI MUMBAI, India (BN24)— India triumphed over South Africa by 52 runs to claim their first Women’s World Cup, delivering a historic victory in front of a packed, raucous crowd at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday. The final, delayed by two hours due to rain, became a showcase of resilience, skill, and composure under pressure.
Batting first, India posted a competitive 298-7. Opener Shafali Verma led the charge with a dynamic 87 from 78 balls, while Deepti Sharma contributed a steady 58. The total set South Africa a record chase in Women’s One-Day Internationals.
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt fought back with her second consecutive century, scoring a flawless 101 from 98 balls to keep her side in contention at 211-6. However, her dismissal via a juggling catch from Amanjot Kaur off Deepti Sharma in the 42nd over shifted momentum decisively in India’s favor. South Africa ultimately finished 246 all out, marking their third consecutive final defeat.
Verma, called up late to the tournament after an injury to Pratika Rawal, shone with the ball as well, finishing 2-36, but it was Deepti Sharma, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, who ripped through the South African batting lineup with figures of 5-39. India’s performance capped an incredible turnaround, overcoming three consecutive group-stage defeats to march to glory.
The final was marked by intense moments, including a crucial run-out of Tazmin Brits by Amanjot Kaur and decisive wickets from Deepti Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Shree Charani. Despite a valiant effort from Wolvaardt and South Africa, India’s depth, composure, and tactical execution proved decisive.
For India, the triumph was historic not only for breaking the World Cup barrier but also for igniting a new era in women’s cricket. The Women’s Premier League has been instrumental in building the team’s depth and confidence to perform under the spotlight, as evidenced by the enthusiastic support from fans queuing hours before the match.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur hailed the victory as a turning point: “After every World Cup, we came together as a team and discussed what we needed to do. This is just the beginning. We have so many big occasions coming up, and we want to make this our habit.” South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt praised India’s performance, acknowledging her team had been outplayed despite a brilliant campaign.
The win establishes India as a rising force in women’s cricket, signaling a potential shift in the sport’s global hierarchy and inspiring a new generation of players in a cricket-loving nation.
