For years, India’s women’s cricket team had come agonizingly close — from the heartbreak in 2005 against Australia to the narrow loss in 2017 at Lord’s. But on this unforgettable Sunday night in 2025, India rewrote history.
Batting first, India posted a commanding 298/7, thanks to a brilliant 104-run opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana (45) and Shafali Verma, who smashed a fluent 87 off 78 balls. Deepti Sharma’s steady 58 and Richa Ghosh’s fiery 34 off 24 added crucial runs in the death overs.
South Africa’s chase was anchored by captain Laura Wolvaardt, who scored a sublime 101 off 98 balls, but India’s bowlers, led by Deepti Sharma’s sensational 5-wicket haul, turned the game decisively. Deepti became the first spinner in history to claim a five-wicket haul in a Women’s World Cup final, sealing India’s triumph in style.
As the final wicket fell, emotions overflowed — Harmanpreet Kaur’s roar, Shafali Verma’s tears, and Rohit Sharma’s standing ovation from the stands captured the magnitude of the moment.
With this iconic win, India joins Australia, England, and New Zealand as ICC Women’s ODI World Champions, ushering in a new golden era for women’s cricket.
🏅 Final Scorecard:
India: 298/7 (50 overs)
South Africa: 246 all out (47.3 overs)
Result: India won by 52 runs
🌟 Player of the Match: Shafali Verma
🔥 Player of the Tournament: Deepti Sharma
