Navi Mumbai, November 2, 2025 - India has clinched its first-ever ICC Women's Cricket World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium. The victory, witnessed by a deafening home crowd, marks a historic moment for Indian women's cricket, fulfilling a 50-year-long dream since their debut on the world stage.
Shafali Verma's stellar performance, scoring a match-winning 87 off 78 balls and taking two crucial wickets, earned her the Player of the Match award. Deepti Sharma also shone with both bat and ball, contributing a composed 58 runs and claiming a match-defining five-wicket haul.
India, after winning the toss, posted a total of 298/7 in their 50 overs. Verma and Smriti Mandhana (45) forged a formidable opening partnership of 104 runs, setting a strong foundation. Verma's innings included seven fours and two sixes, showcasing her aggressive batting style. However, South Africa fought back, with Ayabonga Khaka taking 3 wickets for 58 runs, including the crucial wickets of Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues. Deepti Sharma's steady innings towards the end, along with a lively cameo from Richa Ghosh (34), propelled India closer to the 300 mark.
Chasing a target of 299, South Africa started strong, but Deepti Sharma's breakthrough sparked a dramatic collapse. Captain Laura Wolvaardt led from the front with a magnificent century, scoring 101 runs. However, wickets fell at regular intervals, and South Africa were eventually bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs. Deepti Sharma was the standout performer with the ball, finishing with figures of 5/39, while Shafali Verma and Sree Charani chipped in with key wickets.
Verma's inclusion in the team was itself a story of redemption. Initially not part of the World Cup squad, she replaced the injured Pratika Rawal and seized the opportunity with both hands. Her journey from being dropped from the ODI team to becoming the hero of the final is a testament to her resilience and hard work.
The victory triggered wild celebrations both inside the stadium and across the cricket-mad nation. Former India captain Rohit Sharma, who was present at the venue, was seen getting emotional after the win. Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni, among other cricketing legends, congratulated the Indian women's team for their historic triumph. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also lauded the team's exceptional performance and called it an inspiration for future generations.
This win marks a defining moment for Indian women's cricket and is expected to have a significant impact on the growth and popularity of the sport in the country. With this victory, India joins Australia, England, and New Zealand as the only countries to have won the Women's Cricket World Cup. The Indian team was awarded a record-breaking prize money of 4.48 million, which is approximately Rs 37.3 crore, a 239 percent increase from the last time. Deepti Sharma was named Player of the Tournament for her consistent and impactful performances throughout the World Cup.
