Indian women who know exactly when to raise their hands in decisive moments have claimed the Women’s Cricket World Cup for the first time in history.
In the final match held in Navi Mumbai, India, the Indian women’s team defeated South Africa by 52 runs to become world champions for the first time ever.
Batting first in the Sunday (2nd) final, India scored 298 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. South Africa, in reply, were bowled out for 246 runs in 45.3 overs.
When it comes to the value of a player in a cricket match, Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma embodied it perfectly — sharing 7 wickets between them to destroy South Africa’s innings. The pair also added a crucial 145 runs to India’s total.
Opening batter Shafali Verma scored 87 runs with the bat and then, within just 11 balls of taking up bowling, sent back top-order batters Suné Luus (25) and Marizanne Kapp (4), dismantling South Africa’s chase. Before her bowling spell, the scoreboard read 114/2, but within two overs it had collapsed to 123/4.
From that point, Deepti Sharma took charge, claiming 5 wickets for 39 runs. Having also performed outstandingly in the semi-final, Deepti once again proved vital for India’s success.
For South Africa, chasing a target of 299, captain Laura Wolvaardt scored a brilliant century (101), but once she was dismissed with the total at 220, the team’s innings quickly ended.
During India’s innings, Shafali Verma (87) and Deepti Sharma (58) both struck half-centuries. Apart from Radha Yadav (3* not out), all other Indian batters managed only single-digit scores. However, for South Africa, apart from Wolvaardt’s century, only Annerie Dercksen (35) crossed 30. Four South African batters fell for single-digit scores, and partnerships only lasted while Wolvaardt remained at the crease.
That was the key difference between the two sides. The Indian players, disciplined yet aggressive, dominated the day — and that’s why they became world champions. In every sense, their batting performance was a display of “disciplined aggression.”
Although the match was delayed by two hours due to rain, umpires — including Sri Lankan match referee Mitchell Pereira — decided to begin play at 5 p.m. without reducing the number of overs.
South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and chose to bowl first. However, India’s powerful batting completely disrupted her plans.
Openers Smriti Mandhana (45) and Shafali Verma (87) built a 104-run partnership in 17.4 overs (106 balls). After Mandhana’s dismissal, Jemimah Rodrigues, who had starred in the semifinal against England, contributed 24 runs off 37 balls.
Batting at number three, Rodrigues’ presence gave Verma the freedom to play aggressively. Verma made 87 runs off 78 balls, including 2 sixes and 7 fours — her best ODI innings to date. When their partnership broke at 166 in the 28th over, India was already in a strong position.
From then on, the Indian batters intensified the attack. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur (20), Deepti Sharma (58), and Richa Ghosh (34) all played crucial cameos, collectively adding 112 runs off just 111 balls.
Though Harmanpreet was dismissed after a superb catch by Wolvaardt, Richa Ghosh marked her arrival with a six and went on to score 34 runs, including 2 sixes and 3 fours.
Despite losing four wickets in the later stages, India’s total remained formidable — enough to secure a historic win.
Score Summary:
India Women: 298/7 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 45, Shafali Verma 87, Jemimah Rodrigues 24, Harmanpreet Kaur 20, Amanjot Kaur 12, Deepti Sharma 58, Richa Ghosh 34; Ayabonga Khaka 3/58)
South Africa Women: 246 all out in 45.3 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 101, Tazmin Brits 23, Suné Luus 25, Sinalo Jafta 16, Annerie Dercksen 35, Nadine de Klerk 18; Deepti Sharma 5/39, Shafali Verma 2/36)
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