History was scripted at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday night as India lifted their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a commanding all-round display that will go down as one of Indian cricket’s most inspiring victories.
The night belonged to Deepti Sharma, who delivered a dream performance, scoring a resilient 58 runs with the bat before returning to destroy South Africa’s chase with figures of 5 for 39. Her composure under pressure anchored India to a formidable 298/7, before she led the bowling attack to bundle out the visitors for 246 in 45.3 overs.
This historic win made India only the third nation, after England and Australia, to win both men’s and women’s ODI World Cups, completing a golden chapter in Indian cricket.
Earlier in the evening, Shafali Verma set the tone with a blazing 87 off 78 balls, her best ODI knock in three years. Opening alongside Smriti Mandhana (45), the duo added a solid 100-run stand that laid the foundation for India’s total. Verma’s aggressive intent and crisp shot selection unsettled the South African bowlers early on, delighting the electrified home crowd.
After Mandhana’s dismissal, India continued to build through Deepti’s steady hand in the middle order, with Richa Ghosh (34) adding late acceleration. Despite a late comeback by South Africa’s Ayabonga Khaka (3-58), India’s batting depth ensured they crossed the 290-mark, just shy of a record World Cup final total.
South Africa’s chase began with promise. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt led from the front, scoring a brilliant 101 off 95 balls, showcasing textbook stroke play and grit. Partnered first with Tazmin Brits (29) and later with Annerie Dercksen (35), Wolvaardt kept her side alive with a measured yet determined approach.
However, India’s bowlers kept chipping away. Youngster Shafali Verma proved equally effective with the ball, taking two crucial wickets, including the dangerous Marizanne Kapp, to tilt the momentum back in India’s favor.
The defining moment came when Wolvaardt finally succumbed to Deepti’s clever variation, caught by Amanjot Kaur after a juggling effort that sent the crowd into raptures. With her departure, South Africa’s resistance crumbled rapidly. Deepti’s twin strikes in the same over, dismissing Wolvaardt and Chloe Tryon (9), effectively sealed the fate of the match.
Despite Nadine de Klerk’s late attempt to counterattack, South Africa’s lower order couldn’t withstand the mounting pressure. When Deepti claimed her fifth wicket to dismiss de Klerk for 18, India’s players erupted in celebration, and the packed stadium echoed with chants of “India! India!”
The victory also marked Harmanpreet Kaur’s finest moment as captain, guiding a side that had barely made it to the semifinals after a string of losses, only to stage a stunning turnaround by defeating giants Australia and South Africa in back-to-back knockout games.
With this triumph, the Indian women’s team has carved its name in history, not just as world champions, but as torchbearers of resilience, teamwork, and belief.
Brief Scores:
India 298/7 (Shafali Verma 87, Deepti Sharma 54, Richa Ghosh 34; Ayabonga Khaka 3-58)
beat South Africa 246 all out (Laura Wolvaardt 101, Annerie Dercksen 35; Deepti Sharma 5-39, Shafali Verma 2-36) by 52 runs.
