India finally ended their 52-year drought to clinch their maiden Women's World Cup title after crushing 52-run win over South Africa in the final in Navi Mumbai on November 2.
India ends 52-Year wait, pocket maiden World Cup title
South Africa failed to chase down a sturdy target of 299 despite Laura Wolvaardt's fighting 101. It was Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma's all-round heroics which did the work for India. This memorable win finally broke India's long wait for a World Cup title, having previously finished as runners-up in both the 2005 and 2017 editions. The victory sparked wild celebrations both on the field and in the packed stands, marking a momentous occasion for Indian cricket.
Shafali Verma's special 87
Batting first, India rode on Shafali Verma's special 87 to post a daunting 298/7. Put in to bat after a two-hour delay caused by a wet outfield, India got off to a flying start as Shafali and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (45) forged a decisive 104-run opening partnership, scoring at nearly seven runs per over. Shafali, who was drafted in for the semifinal following an injury to Pratika Rawal, continued her strong run by scoring a blistering 87 off 78 balls, marking her first ODI fifty in over three years.
Despite the dominant opening stand, the South African bowlers managed to claw their way back into the contest, successfully denying the hosts the psychological 300-run mark. Pacer Ayabonga Khaka (3/58 from nine overs) and spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba (1/47) triggered a crucial middle-overs slide. Khaka delivered two critical strikes, removing both the explosive Shafali and then Jemimah Rodrigues (24). Mlaba added further pressure by dismissing skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (20) just as a partnership with Deepti Sharma was beginning to take shape.
With wickets falling, all-rounder Deepti Sharma provided the necessary stability, playing a composed innings to anchor the side's finish. She scored a steady 58 off 58 balls—her 18th ODI half-century and third of the tournament. Deepti added vital late runs alongside a quickfire cameo from Richa Ghosh (34 from 24 balls), ensuring India finished strongly on 298/6. Khaka eventually accounted for Ghosh in the penultimate over, but the late contributions ensured a significant target was set for South Africa.
Deepti Sharma's all-round heroics seal the deal for India
India's victory was powered by a collective effort, particularly the all-round contributions from Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma. While the South African chase was anchored by a magnificent century from captain Laura Wolvaardt (101 off 98 balls), her heroic effort was ultimately not enough to overhaul India's strong total. Deepti Sharma was the star with the ball, utilizing the turning track to devastating effect by claiming a brilliant five-wicket haul with her off-spin. Her spell reduced South Africa to 246 all out, ensuring India's historic triumph.
Wolvaardt's exploits in vain
In pursuit of 299 runs for a maiden World Cup title, South Africa got off to a solid start, largely thanks to captain Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits. The opening partnership reached 50 runs before a brilliant run-out by Amanjot Kaur dismissed Brits for 23. Anneke Bosch then fell cheaply, leaving the Proteas at 62/2. Despite the wickets, Wolvaardt was phenomenal, reaching 510 runs for the tournament to break Alyssa Healy’s 2022 record for the most runs in a single Women’s World Cup edition. She reached her half-century off just 45 balls, and with the help of Sune Luus (25), guided South Africa past the three-figure mark.
The momentum quickly shifted as India's batting star, Shafali Verma, took center stage with the ball, removing both Luus and Marizanne Kapp (4) in quick succession to leave South Africa struggling at 123/4. As the required run-rate began to climb, Deepti Sharma put her stamp on the match, sending Sinalo Jafta back and becoming the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 18 dismissals. A brief ray of hope emerged for South Africa through a crucial sixth-wicket partnership between Annerie Dercksen and Wolvaardt, fueled by Dercksen's brutal hitting, which brought up their fifty-run stand.
The climax of the chase was dominated by Deepti Sharma, who atoned for an earlier drop of Dercksen (35) by blitzing through South Africa’s lower order with three wickets in eight deliveries. She first removed Dercksen and then claimed the most crucial wicket of all: Wolvaardt, who fell for a brilliant 101 after Amanjot Kaur held onto a spectacular catch in the deep. Sharma then dismissed Chloe Tryon via an LBW decision. Despite the best efforts of Nadine de Klerk (18), Sharma had her stumped, completing her five-wicket haul and securing India a historic triumph on home soil by bowling out South Africa for 246.