In a landmark moment for Indian cricket, the national women’s team lifted their first-ever ODI World Cup trophy with a resounding 52-run victory over South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday, sending the packed home crowd into raptures.
Shafali Verma, the 21-year-old batting sensation who was drafted into the squad at the last minute, rose to the occasion with a stellar all-round performance.
She powered India to a formidable total of 298 for 7 with a sparkling 87 and later struck twice with the ball to derail South Africa’s chase.
Deepti Sharma, ever-reliable under pressure, turned in a match-winning spell of 5 for 39, while young pacer Shree Charani kept things tight at the other end.
Together, they ensured South Africa’s promising start crumbled into a collapse, dismissing the visitors for 246 in 45.3 overs.
Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa’s captain, led from the front with a brilliant century, anchoring her team’s reply.
However, her dismissal in the 42nd over, followed by Chloe Tryon’s fall soon after, extinguished the Proteas’ hopes as India tightened their grip on the contest.
Earlier, openers Smriti Mandhana (45) and Shafali Verma gave India a strong platform with a century partnership, before Deepti Sharma added a composed 58 in the middle order.
Richa Ghosh’s quickfire 34 provided late impetus, helping India post the second-highest total ever recorded in a Women’s ODI World Cup final.
ALSO READ: Tripura Youth Congress demands arrests in banned cough syrup seizure case
For South Africa, Ayabonga Khaka impressed with 3 for 58, while Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, and Nonkululeko Mlaba picked up one wicket each.
This triumph marks a watershed moment for Indian women’s cricket — a dream decades in the making — cementing the team’s place among the sport’s global elite and inspiring a new generation of players across the country.
Brief Scores: India 298/7 in 50 overs (Shafali Verma 87, Deepti Sharma 58, Smriti Mandhana 45; Ayabonga Khaka 3/58)
South Africa 246 in 45.3 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 101, Annerie Dercksen 35; Deepti Sharma 5/39, Shafali Verma 2/36)
