Navi Mumbai, November 2, 2025 - India clinched its first-ever Women's World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 52 runs at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The historic win was made even more poignant by the presence of injured opener Pratika Rawal, who joined the team's celebrations in a wheelchair, draped in the Indian tricolor.
Rawal, a consistent performer throughout the tournament, suffered an ankle and knee injury during the match against Bangladesh and was subsequently ruled out of the final. She had amassed 308 runs in six innings at an average of 51.33, including a century and a half-century, before the injury. Her absence from the playing XI was keenly felt, but her replacement, Shafali Verma, stepped up, scoring a crucial 87 runs in the final.
As the winning runs were scored, the Indian team erupted in celebration. Amidst the jubilation, they didn't forget Rawal. Overcome with emotion, Rawal made her way onto the field in a wheelchair. Teammates swarmed her, lifting her from the wheelchair in a heartwarming display of camaraderie and shared triumph. Rawal also got up from her wheelchair to dance with her teammates.
"I can't even express it. There are no words," Rawal said after the match. "This flag on my shoulder means so much. To be here with my team – it's surreal. Injuries are part of the game. I'm just so happy I could still be part of this team. I love this team. I can't express what I feel - we actually did it! We're the first Indian team to win the World Cup in so long," she added. She also reflected on how difficult it was to watch the game from the sidelines after the injury. "Honestly, it was tougher watching than playing," Rawal said. "Every run, every wicket gave me goosebumps. The emotion, the roar – it was magic".
India's victory was set up by a strong batting performance, with Shafali Verma's 87 supported by valuable contributions from other players. Deepti Sharma then starred with the ball, taking five wickets to restrict South Africa to 246. Laura Wolvaardt's century for South Africa proved insufficient as India's all-round performance secured the win.
Rawal's story is a testament to the spirit of the Indian team. Her contribution to the team throughout the tournament was significant, and her presence at the celebrations, despite her injury, highlighted the strong bond among the players. While she couldn't be on the field physically, her spirit and support were undoubtedly a part of India's historic World Cup victory.
