Key Points:
- Historic Win: India claimed their first-ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, beating South Africa by 52 runs.
- Top Performers: Shafali Verma (87) and Deepti Sharma (58* & 5/38) led India to victory.
- Lasting Impact: The triumph marks a turning point for women’s cricket in India.
India won their maiden India Women World Cup title on Nov. 2, 2025, defeating South Africa by 52 runs at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The victory marked India’s first-ever world title in women’s one-day cricket, achieved in front of a packed home crowd after decades of near misses.
Rain delayed play by two hours, but the conditions did not deter the hosts. South Africa, playing their first ODI final, won the toss and opted to field under overcast skies. India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur said after the match that the team had “waited a long time for this moment,” calling the victory “a dream fulfilled.”
Strong start sets foundation
Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana gave India a solid start, adding 104 runs for the first wicket in the India Women World Cup final. Verma’s aggressive 87 off 78 balls and Mandhana’s composed 45 helped India reach 64 in the first 10 overs, their highest powerplay score of the tournament.
South Africa fought back when Ayabonga Khaka dismissed both Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues in quick succession, briefly slowing India’s progress. However, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma rebuilt the innings with a steady 52-run partnership.
In the final overs, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh accelerated the scoring with a quick 34 from 24 balls, while Sharma remained unbeaten on 58. India finished with 298 for 7 in 50 overs. Khaka led South Africa’s bowling attack with 3 wickets, while Nadine de Klerk and Nonkululeko Mlaba picked up one each.
Wolvaardt’s century in vain
Chasing 299, South Africa began positively through openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, who added 51 runs for the first wicket. Their stand ended after a sharp direct hit from Amanjot Kaur caught Brits short of her crease.
Leg-spinner Shree Charani struck in her first over, trapping Anneke Bosch leg-before for a golden duck. India’s bowlers then tightened their grip, with Shafali Verma claiming two crucial wickets—Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp—in successive overs.
Wolvaardt, however, stood firm. The South African captain scored a valiant 101, anchoring the chase and keeping her team’s hopes alive in the India Women World Cup final. She shared a 61-run stand with Annerie Dercksen before falling to a diving catch by Amanjot Kaur, a moment that effectively ended South Africa’s resistance.
Historic moment for India
Deepti Sharma was the star with the ball, taking 5 wickets for 38 runs, becoming the first player to achieve a five-wicket haul in the India Women World Cup final. South Africa were bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs.
“This team has worked hard for years,” Sharma said after receiving the Player of the Match award. “We wanted to bring the World Cup home, and it’s finally here.”
The triumph ended India’s long wait for a world title in women’s cricket. The team’s blend of youth and experience, coupled with consistent performances throughout the tournament, fueled their historic run.
For South Africa, the loss was painful but historic in its own right, marking their first appearance in an ODI World Cup final. Captain Wolvaardt praised her team’s resilience, saying they “showed heart throughout the tournament.”
Cricket analysts said the win could mark a turning point for women’s cricket in India, likely inspiring greater participation and investment in the sport. Fans celebrated across major cities late into the night, waving flags and chanting the team’s name.
India’s dominance in the final—both with bat and ball—underscored their steady rise on the global stage. With the India Women World Cup title secured, the team now stands as a symbol of growing strength and visibility for women’s sports in the country.
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