Navi Mumbai, Correspondent
Deepti Sharma's all-round brilliance powered India Women to their first World Cup title, defeating South Africa Women by 52 runs in the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy here tonight.
Deepti's composed 58 off 58 balls anchored India’s innings, while her fiery five-wicket spell dismantled the South African batting lineup, cementing her role as the pivot of India's historic triumph.
India had reached the ICC Women’s World Cup final on two occasions, but ended as runners-up. In 2005, they lost to Australia by 98 runs, and in 2017, they were narrowly defeated by England by just 9 runs. These two finals were moments of heartbreak for the team, coming before their historic triumph in 2025.
After rain delayed the start, South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl. India's innings got off to a solid start with Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana putting on a 104-run opening stand.
Player of the Match Shafali scored a blistering 87 off 78 balls, featuring seven fours and two towering sixes, combining aggression with precise timing. Her fluent strokeplay and smart strike rotation ensured India maintained momentum throughout the innings before she was eventually caught at mid-off by Sune Luus.
As wickets fell, Deepti entered at a critical juncture and guided India through the middle overs, joining Harmanpreet Kaur in a 52-run fifth-wicket partnership. Deepti reached her 50 with a deft nudge to square leg, struck a towering six over deep mid-wicket off Marizanne Kapp, and timed drives expertly through extra cover and short fine leg.
Extras contributed 15 runs, including 12 wides, helping India reach a formidable 298 for 7 in 50 overs.
Shafali also made a crucial impact with the ball, taking two key wickets in quick succession. She first dismissed Marizanne Kapp for 4, with a well-directed leg-side delivery safely taken by Richa Ghosh, and immediately struck again with a sharp caught-and-bowled to remove Sune Luus. These wickets came at a crucial stage, breaking a threatening partnership and consolidating India’s control, earning her praise as the team’s “golden arm.”
Chasing 299, South Africa’s pursuit was anchored by captain Laura Wolvaardt, who produced a brilliant 101 off 98 balls, becoming only the second batswoman in Women’s World Cup history, after Alyssa Healy in 2022, to score hundreds in both the semifinal and final of the same edition. Tazmin Brits added 23 before being run out, while Annerie Dercksen contributed 35. Despite these efforts, South Africa struggled against India’s disciplined bowling.
Deepti turned the game decisively with the ball, claiming key wickets including Sinalo Jafta, Annerie Dercksen, Wolvaardt, Chloe Tryon, and Nadine de Klerk, with the latter caught spectacularly by captain Harmanpreet Kaur at extra cover in the 46th over, sealing India’s victory and igniting euphoric celebrations.
Fireworks lit up the stadium as players embraced, celebrating a journey from struggle to the pinnacle of women’s cricket. Deepti’s all-round mastery, alongside Shafali Verma’s exceptional contributions with bat and ball, epitomised India’s depth, resilience, and balance, marking a historic moment for Indian women’s cricket.
Women's World Cup win will inspire future champions: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed India's maiden ICC Women's Cricket World Cup victory, describing it as a "historic win" that promises to inspire the next generation of sports stars.
Taking to the social media platform X, PM Modi lauded the team's extraordinary performance throughout the tournament. He wrote, "A spectacular win by the Indian team in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Finals. Their performance in the final was marked by great skill and confidence. The team showed exceptional teamwork and tenacity throughout the tournament. Congratulations to our players. This historic win will motivate future champions to take up sports."
"You lifted a nation’s spirit": Rahul Gandhi
Congratulating the Indian women’s cricket team for winning their first-ever World Cup with a 52-run victory over South Africa, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called it a moment of pride, stating that the Women in Blue have made history and that their success will inspire young girls across India.
Taking to the social media platform X, Gandhi wrote, “What a moment of pride! Our Women in Blue have made history and touched a billion hearts. Your courage, grit, and grace have brought glory to India and inspired countless young girls to dream fearlessly. You didn’t just lift a trophy, you lifted a nation’s spirit. Jai Hind!”
Stalin laud India's historic effort in winning maiden WC title
Stalin termed it was an electrifying night as Women in Blue reigned supreme and lifted the World Cup. It was an extraordinary triumph, a magnificent display of talent, composure and teamwork and this victory will inspire generations to dream big and play bold. "What a moment for Indian cricket!. India reigns supreme as our women in blue lift the ICC Women’s World Cup!", he said.
Shafali, Deepti and Harmanpreet in WWC record books
Shafali Verma, at 21 years and 279 days, became the youngest cricketer to win the Player of the Match award in a semifinal or final of an ODI World Cup, men’s or women’s, as India Women scripted history by claiming their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title with a memorable victory over South Africa at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy tonight.
Led by 36-year-old Harmanpreet Kaur, the oldest captain to lift the Women’s World Cup trophy, India’s triumph was remarkable for several reasons. For the first time in Women’s ODI World Cup history, a team that lost three matches in the tournament emerged as champions, a feat previously achieved only twice in the Men’s game, by Pakistan in 1992 and England in 2019.
India truly deserve champions tag: Harmanpreet
Even after three early losses in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, Indian Women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur never doubted her team’s potential, a mindset that ultimately powered them to a historic title win over South Africa on Sunday.
"Even after those three losses, we always had that belief,” Harmanpret said. "Credit to every single member. They stayed positive, focused, and gave everything day and night. This team truly deserves to be here," she said after leading India to their first-ever WWC title. Twice before, they had stormed into the finals but ended up as runners up.
Shafali credits Sachin for India's historic WWC win
Seeing Sachin Tendulkar in the stands gave Shafali Verma a special boost as she powered India Women to their first-ever World Cup title, defeating South Africa Women by 52 runs in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy here tonight.
The young opener, named Player of the Match, said the presence of the cricketing legend inspired her to stay calm and focused while delivering a match-winning performance. "When I saw Sachin sir, I got a different boost. He always gives me confidence. Legends are masters of cricket, but I get a lot of inspiration from them."
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