The Indian women's cricket team has clinched their first-ever ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, sparking scenes of jubilation across the nation. Following their momentous 52-run victory against South Africa in the final held in Navi Mumbai, players Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues were among those who couldn't bear to part with the coveted trophy, choosing to sleep with it by their side.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) described the atmosphere as one filled with "joy, relief, and tears" as India secured the coveted trophy on a Sunday night. The victory, celebrated in front of a packed stadium, marks a historic moment for women's cricket in India.
In the final, India posted a total of 298/7, propelled by a solid opening stand of 104 runs between Shafali Verma and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana. Verma's aggressive innings of 87 runs off 78 balls set the tone, while Deepti Sharma contributed a crucial half-century. Richa Ghosh added late impetus with a quickfire 34 off 24 deliveries.
India's bowling attack then delivered a disciplined performance, restricting South Africa and sealing the victory. Laura Wolvaardt's magnificent century for South Africa, though the highest score by any woman in a World Cup with 571 runs, wasn't enough to overcome the strong Indian team.
The journey to the World Cup title wasn't without its challenges. After a strong start, the team faced setbacks with close losses against South Africa, Australia, and England. However, they bounced back with a record-breaking win against New Zealand, where Smriti Mandhana (109) and Pratika Rawal (122) forged the highest opening stand for India in World Cups, putting on 212 runs and propelling the team to a formidable total of 340/3. Jemimah Rodrigues also contributed a valuable 76* off 55 balls in that match.
The semi-final clash against Australia saw India chase down a record 339, marking the highest successful run chase in Women's ODI history. Jemimah Rodrigues played an innings of a lifetime, scoring an unbeaten 127*(135), while Harmanpreet Kaur added a brilliant 89(88).
Pictures of Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, and other teammates posing and celebrating with the World Cup trophy in their hotel room have gone viral on social media, capturing the euphoria and pride of the moment. The images of Mandhana and Rodrigues sleeping next to the trophy symbolize the deep emotional connection the players have with their achievement and the significance of this win for women's cricket in India.
Harmanpreet Kaur praised Shafali Verma's performance, highlighting her unexpected but impactful bowling spell in the final, which she felt was a turning point in the game. Verma dismissed key South African players, showcasing her versatility and contributing to India's victory in multiple facets of the game.
This World Cup victory represents the culmination of years of dedication and hard work by the Indian women's cricket team and marks a new era for the sport in the country.
