India Clinches Maiden Women’s World Cup Title with 52-Run Win Over South Africa

India lifted their first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup trophy in Navi Mumbai on Sunday night, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a gripping final. What began as a rain-delayed start turned into a night of redemption and celebration for Indian cricket, and for the women who carried its hopes.

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy and chose to bowl first. But from the very first over, the Indian openers showed they were in no mood to wait.

Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana walked out with intent. They added 104 runs for the opening stand, the foundation that powered India’s innings. Verma's aggressive 87 off 78 balls studded with seven fours and two sixes. She was dropped on 55, and South Africa paid dearly for it.

At the other end, Mandhana played with grace, her 45 runs coming in fluent drives and wristy flicks before she fell just short of her half-century. Together, they turned India’s start into one of dominance and set the tone for a total that always looked above par.

Jemimah Rodrigues (24) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (20) looked solid but couldn’t convert. South Africa’s bowlers found rhythm in the middle overs. Ayabonga Khaka dismissed Verma and Jemimah in quick succession, dragging India from 165/1 to 171/3 and forcing them to rebuild.

That stability came through Deepti Sharma. Calm and composed, she played the kind of innings India needed. Her 58 off 58 balls was the glue that held the innings together after Verma’s departure. Deepti’s partnerships with Richa Ghosh steadied the innings again.

Richa Ghosh’s cameo of 34 off 24 balls, featuring three fours and two sixes, gave India the late acceleration they were looking for.

Khaka finished with 3 for 58, the pick of South Africa’s bowlers, while Mlaba and de Klerk took a wicket each. Still, India’s 298/7 looked like a mountain under lights, a score that carried weight in a World Cup final.

South Africa’s in-form opener, Tazmin Brits, was run out for 23 by a sharp throw from Amanjot Kaur. Anneke Bosch followed soon after, and the scoreboard read 62/2.

Despite these pressure moments, the South African captain batted with elegance and determination, carrying her team almost single-handedly. Her 101 off 98 balls was an innings of technique, temperament, and timing. She became the first captain to score centuries in both a semi-final and a final of the same ICC tournament.

She found brief support from Annerie Dercksen, but India’s bowlers, led by Deepti Sharma, struck back. Deepti removed Wolvaardt with a sharp off-break that drifted and dipped, ending South Africa’s best hope. Her spell in the middle overs changed the rhythm of the game. She picked 5/39 in just 9.3 overs. An awesome performance first with the bat, then with the ball.

As the innings drew closer to their end, the energy in the stands shifted from tension to anticipation. Each wicket brought India closer. Each dot ball tightened the grip. And when Harmanpreet Kaur took the final catch off Deepti Sharma to dismiss de Klerk, the roar from the stands was deafening.

India bowled South Africa out for 246 in 45.3 overs to clinch a 52-run win, and with it, their maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title.

The celebrations were so amazing to watch for the Indian crowd. Shafali Verma dropped to her knees. Harmanpreet hugged her teammates with tears in her eyes. The tricolor waved across the stands as chants of “India! India!” echoed around the stadium.

Shafali Verma was named Player of the Match for her all-round performance, 87 runs, and 2 wickets.

This night in Navi Mumbai will be remembered as the one where India finally crossed the line, lifting the cup under the floodlights, and lifting a nation’s hopes with it.

Player of the match: Shafali Verma

Player of the tournament: Deepti Sharma