India secured their first Women's World Cup title on Sunday, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final held in Navi Mumbai. The victory was significantly shaped by captain Harmanpreet Kaur's strategic decision to bring Shafali Verma into the bowling attack, a move Kaur acknowledged as a calculated risk that ultimately paid off. Meanwhile, despite South Africa's loss, captain Laura Wolvaardt etched her name in history by becoming the highest run-scorer in a single edition of the Women's ODI World Cup, surpassing Alyssa Healy's previous record.
India posted a formidable 298/7, propelled by Verma's explosive 87 and Deepti Sharma's composed 58. In response, South Africa were bowled out for 246, with Deepti Sharma claiming five wickets. Wolvaardt fought valiantly, scoring a century, but her dismissal in the 42nd over proved to be a turning point.
Kaur's decision to introduce Verma, primarily known for her batting, into the bowling attack was a surprising but inspired move. Verma immediately justified her captain's faith by dismissing Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp in quick succession, stifling South Africa's momentum. Kaur's excitement was evident as she celebrated with Verma after the crucial breakthrough. Verma's contribution with the ball, combined with her earlier performance with the bat, earned her the Player of the Match award.
Verma's inclusion in the semi-final, after an injury to Pratika Rawal, proved pivotal. After struggling against Australia, Verma delivered an all-round performance in the final, underscoring her resilience and adaptability. Her performance marked a significant comeback after being dropped from the national side last year due to inconsistent performance in the 50-over format.
Despite the defeat, Laura Wolvaardt's performance throughout the tournament was record-breaking. In the final, she became the highest run-scorer in a single Women's ODI World Cup edition, with 526 runs. Wolvaardt also holds the record for the most 50-plus scores in Women's ODI World Cup history, with 14, surpassing India's Mithali Raj. Wolvaardt's century in the final followed a century in the semi-final, showcasing her consistency and ability to perform under pressure. At the 15-over mark, while chasing India's formidable 298, Wolvaardt led from the front, remaining unbeaten on 43 off 39 balls, demonstrating her authority at the top of the order.
Wolvaardt's career has been marked by significant achievements, including being named South Africa's Women's Cricketer of the Year in 2020. She has also been recognized in the ICC Women's T20I Team of the Year. In July 2024, she scored her maiden Test century against India, becoming only the third woman to score a century in all three international formats. She was named captain of the South Africa squad for the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup and their multi-format home series against England in November 2024.
The Indian team's victory was a moment of redemption, having finished as runners-up in 2005 and 2017. Harmanpreet Kaur and her team celebrated the historic triumph with fans inside the stadium and millions watching across India.
