India's star all-rounder Deepti Sharma stormed into the history book after enjoying a sensational yet record-breaking campaign in the Women's ODI World Cup 2025.
Deepti Sharma achieves historic World Cup double
By scoring over 200 runs and taking 15 or more wickets in a single edition of the tournament, she became the first player ever to achieve this spectacular double. Her all-round impact was capped off by a vital contribution in the final against South Africa at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, where she scored a crucial run-a-ball 58. Deepti has a history of chipping in crucial contribution when needed the most.
She amassed a total of 215 runs across seven innings, featuring three half-centuries, including her highest score of 58 in the final, a 53 in the tournament opener against Sri Lanka, and another fifty against England. Her dominance was equally apparent with the ball, where she finished as the joint-leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 17 scalps. Her exceptional bowling performances included three instances of taking three or more wickets in an innings, highlighted by her best figure of 4/51 against England, along with impressive spells of 3/54 against Sri Lanka and 3/45 against Pakistan.
Shafali Varma's solid 87 powers India to strong total
India posted a challenging total of 298/7 against South Africa, despite being put in to bat following a two-hour delay due to a wet outfield. The innings was given a flying start by openers Shafali Verma and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (45). The duo added a dominant 104 runs for the opening wicket at an impressive scoring rate. Shafali, who was brought into the side for the semifinal, continued her rich vein of form by smashing her fifth overall ODI fifty—her first in over three years—before being dismissed for a blistering 87 off 78 balls.
Following the commanding start, South Africa's bowlers mounted a determined comeback, denying the hosts the psychological 300-mark. Pacer Ayabonga Khaka (3/58 from nine overs) and spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba (1/47) were instrumental in triggering a middle-overs slide. Khaka delivered two crucial strikes by removing the explosive Shafali and then taking out Jemimah Rodrigues (24). Mlaba also accounted for skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (20) just as her partnership with Deepti Sharma was beginning to blossom, significantly disrupting India's momentum.
Despite the wickets falling around her, all-rounder Deepti Sharma successfully anchored the remainder of the innings with a composed and steady half-century. She scored 58 off 58 balls—her 18th ODI fifty and third of the tournament—building vital runs. Deepti partnered with Richa Ghosh, who added a quickfire 34 from just 24 balls, to ensure India maintained a competitive scoring rate. Although Richa Ghosh was dismissed by Khaka in the penultimate over, the late consolidation ensured the Women in Blue finished on a formidable total of 298/6.
India Women's Playing XI:
Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh(w), Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur
South Africa Women's Playing XI:
Laura Wolvaardt(c), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta(w), Annerie Dercksen, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba