New Delhi – Harmanpreet Kaur‘s India created history by clinching their first-ever India Women’s World Cup title with a commanding 52-run victory over South Africa on Sunday. The triumph, powered by exceptional performances from Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma, ended years of heartbreak and established a new era in Indian women’s cricket.
Shafali Verma’s Redemption Story
The India Women’s World Cup final witnessed an extraordinary redemption arc as Shafali Verma, who wasn’t even part of the original squad a week ago, delivered when it mattered most. The 21-year-old, who had endured heartbreak five years ago in the T20 World Cup final at the MCG, produced a stunning all-round performance that will be remembered for generations.
Verma’s magnificent 87 with the bat anchored India’s innings, while her crucial 2/36 with the ball turned the game decisively in India’s favor. Her Player of the Match performance in the India Women’s World Cup final placed her alongside legends like Mohinder Amarnath, Irfan Pathan, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli, all of whom had shone in World Cup finals.
Coming in as a replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal, Shafali chose the grandest stage to etch her name in cricketing folklore. She became the youngest cricketer to score a fifty in a World Cup final across men’s and women’s cricket, while also helping India achieve their first-ever century opening partnership in any ICC World Cup knockout match.
Deepti Sharma’s Match-Winning Performance
Deepti Sharma’s all-round brilliance was equally instrumental in the India Women’s World Cup victory. Her composed half-century of 58 runs off as many balls proved crucial in pushing India’s total close to 300. However, it was her devastating bowling spell of 5/39 that sealed the victory for India.
With 20 wickets in the tournament, Deepti was deservedly named Player of the Tournament, capping off an exceptional campaign that showcased her ability to deliver in pressure situations. Her performance in the final exemplified the fighting spirit that defined India’s journey to their maiden World Cup title.
India’s Batting Masterclass
Despite the play beginning 90 minutes late due to rain interruptions, India’s batting lineup produced a masterclass in the India Women’s World Cup final. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana provided a blazing start, bringing up India’s 50 in just over seven overs. Mandhana’s fluent 45 set the tone, while Shafali’s aggressive intent put South Africa under immediate pressure.
Jemimah Rodrigues provided stability with a solid 24 off 37 balls, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur contributed a valuable 20, sharing a crucial 52-run partnership with Deepti. Richa Ghosh’s explosive 34 off 24 balls, featuring three fours and two sixes, proved to be the difference maker in the final analysis.
India’s total of 298 became the second-highest ever in a World Cup final, behind Australia’s 356 against England in 2022. With dew expected to be a factor, the total represented a formidable challenge for South Africa.
South Africa’s Valiant Effort
South Africa’s chase in the India Women’s World Cup final was led brilliantly by captain Laura Wolvaardt, who scored a sublime century to keep her team in contention. However, crucial strikes from Shafali and Deepti at regular intervals prevented South Africa from building the momentum required for such a challenging chase.
The breakthrough came when Amanjot Kaur ran out Tazmin Britz after a fifty-run opening partnership. Shree Charani then dismissed Anneke Bosch for a duck, before Shafali’s golden arm struck twice in quick succession to put India firmly in control.
Despite Wolvaardt’s heroic resistance and a promising 50-plus partnership with Annerie Dercksen, India’s bowling attack remained relentless. Deepti’s yorker dismissed Dercksen, while Amanjot’s spectacular juggling catch to dismiss Wolvaardt effectively ended South Africa’s hopes.
Historic Achievement for Indian Cricket
The India Women’s World Cup victory represents the culmination of years of effort and near-misses. After falling agonizingly short in 2005, 2017, and 2020, Harmanpreet’s team finally crossed the line when it mattered most. The triumph places Harmanpreet alongside Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma as Indian captains who have lifted cricket’s ultimate prize.
This historic India Women’s World Cup title marks the beginning of a golden chapter in Indian women’s cricket. The performances of Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma demonstrated that Indian cricket possesses both the talent and temperament to succeed on the biggest stages. As the nation celebrates this landmark achievement, the future of women’s cricket in India has never looked brighter.
The victory not only ended a long wait for glory but also inspired millions across the country, proving that dedication, resilience, and belief can turn dreams into reality.
