Indus Valley Times

NEW DELHI , NOV 3 : Indian women’s cricket finally scaled its Everest on Sunday, as years of toil and heartbreak culminated in glory with a 52-run win over South Africa in Navi Mumbai, sealing the nation’s maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup through stellar all-round efforts from Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma.

India’s breakthrough in the 13th edition of the global showpiece made them only the fourth team to win the trophy, joining Australia (7), England (4) and New Zealand (1) in the pantheon of champions.

With the victory, Harmanpreet’s team finally buried the ghosts of past heartbreaks — the 2005 and 2017 finals — and delivered India’s much-awaited World title, a watershed moment for the game in the country.

Batting first, India posted a competitive 298 for seven — the second-highest total in tournament history– powered by Shafali’s fluent 87, Smriti Mandhana’s 45, and a crucial 58 from Deepti.

India’s players pose with the winning trophy after their win over South Africa in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final match in Navi Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.

‘Defining moment in journey of Indian women’s cricket’: Cricketing legends react to World Cup win

Set a target of 299 by India, skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s fighting century went in vain as South Africa faltered in their chase, as the brilliance brilliance of Deepti (5/39) and Shafali (2/36) ensured India’s moment of destiny could not be denied.

Wolvaardt struck a fluent 101 off 98 balls before miscuing a lofted shot off Deepti Sharma to Amanjot Kaur at deep mid-wicket, leaving South Africa reeling at 211 for seven in the 41st over. Her dismissal, after a 61-run stand with Annerie Dercksen (35), dented the hosts’ hopes as they still needed 88 runs off the final nine overs.

India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur and India’s Shafali Verma, centre, celebrate the dismissal of South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final match between India and South Africa in Navi Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.

India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur and India’s Shafali Verma, centre, celebrate the dismissal of South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final match between India and South Africa in Navi Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.(Photo | AP)

Earlier, South Africa made a steady start, reaching 52 for one in 10 overs. Openers Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits (23) added 51 runs before a sharp direct hit from Amanjot Kaur caught Brits short of her crease while attempting a quick single.

Anneke Bosch (0) fell soon after, trapped leg before by young spinner Shree Charani, reducing South Africa to 62 for two. Sune Luus (25) then joined Wolvaardt to rebuild before falling to a miscued shot. India soon struck a major blow as Marizanne Kapp fell for 4 in the 23rd over, tightening their grip on the game.

When Wolvaardt threatened to take the game away, Deepti struck twice in four balls, removing the Proteas skipper and Chloe Tryon (9), to break the spine of the chase. She fittingly applied the finishing touch, dismissing Nadine de Klerk for her fifth wicket to spark celebrations of a lifetime.

India’s players pose with the winning trophy after their win over South Africa in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final match in Navi Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.

‘Marked by great skill, confidence’: PM Modi hails Indian women’s cricket team for ODI World Cup win

India’s triumph was fittingly shaped by two players on contrasting paths.

Deepti Sharma, the dependable workhorse, finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 21 scalps, showcasing craft and composure on the biggest stage. Shafali Verma, recalled after Pratika Rawal’s injury, seized her second chance with a defining all-round performance.

India’s players pose with the winning trophy after their win over South Africa in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final match in Navi Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.

World Cup: Wonder women in wonderful night

Shafali’s robust 87 set the tone before crucial knocks from Deepti (58 off 58, 3×4, 1×6) and Richa Ghosh (34 off 24, 3×4, 2×6) pushed India to 298/7 in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday. Their 47-run stand for the sixth wicket revived the innings after Jemimah Rodrigues (24) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (20) failed to capitalise on starts.

South Africa’s bowlers, aided by a slowing surface after a rain delay, kept striking regularly to limit India’s surge. Shafali, though, showed rare maturity — mixing aggression with smart rotation — as she and Smriti Mandhana (45) gave India a 104-run opening stand that had South Africa reeling early.

India’s Shafali Verma plays a shot during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final match between India and South Africa in Navi Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.

-PTI