NAVI MUMBAI: The culmination of India’s first-ever Women’s World Cup victory was nothing short of a perfect fairytale. In a dramatic final moment, South African powerhouse Nadine de Klerk, known for her earlier 84 not out against India, hit a low full toss directly to Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur at extra cover, sealing the win. Deepti Sharma was the undeniable star, delivering a crucial half-century (58 runs off 58 balls) and then an exceptional five-wicket haul (5 for 39 in 9.3 overs), orchestrating India’s most significant triumph in women’s cricket history with both bat and ball.
Immediately, a jubilant crowd of 45,000 joined the Indian team in an explosion of celebrations, with Captain Harmanpreet and the Women in Blue overwhelmed by tears of joy. This was the Indian women’s cricket team’s long-awaited ’83 moment. After a challenging campaign marred by three consecutive defeats, they dramatically regrouped, winning the crucial matches to finally claim the World Cup trophy after years of striving and heartbreak.
India’s glorious 52-run victory over South Africa in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup final, cheered on by 45,000 enthusiastic fans at the DY Patil Stadium, brought an end to their prolonged quest for a World Cup title. This monumental, historic win will be celebrated by a billion hearts, forever changing the landscape of women’s cricket in India. Interestingly, an unexpected hero, a player not even initially in the reserves, played a pivotal role. Before the semi-final against Australia, which saw a brilliant century from Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma had confidently declared, ‘God has sent me here to do something good.’
Shafali Verma, making a fairytale comeback, delivered a blistering, career-best 87 (78 balls, 7 fours, 2 sixes) that significantly contributed to India’s total of 298 for six after a two-hour rain delay. She then followed up with vital bowling figures of two for 36 in seven overs, striking crucial blows precisely when South Africa appeared to be comfortably chasing the target.
South African captain and opener Laura Wolvaardt, fresh from her epic 169 in the semi-final against England, once again hit a superb century (101 runs off 98 balls, 10 fours, 1 six). However, her dismissal in the 42nd over, caught by a sprinting Amanjot Kaur off Deepti Sharma after a dramatic third attempt by the fielder, decisively shifted the game in India’s favor. The Proteas, chasing 299, initially seemed to be cruising at 114 for two in the 21st over, but then crumbled under the immense pressure of the large target and the fervent home crowd. Shafali delivered two critical breakthroughs, first catching Sune Luus (25 runs off 31 balls) off her own seemingly innocuous delivery, and then having Marizanne Kapp (4) caught behind in her very next over.
The opening partnership between Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits (23 off 35 balls) built a promising 51-run stand before Amanjot Kaur’s direct hit secured India’s first wicket. Anneke Bosch, who had a day to forget after dropping a crucial catch when Shafali was on 57, was soon dismissed for a duck by Shree Charani. Relying heavily on their captain, South Africa found a brief resurgence through Annerie Dercksen (25 off 37 balls), but Deepti Sharma’s pinpoint yorker in the 40th over decisively put India in command.
Earlier in the day, after a two-hour rain delay, India was asked to bat first. They responded with a challenging, though perhaps slightly under-par, total of 298 for six against South Africa. This was largely powered by Shafali Verma’s explosive, career-best 87 (78 balls, 7 fours, 2 sixes) and Deepti Sharma’s calm 58 (58 balls, 3 fours, 1 six). Crucial contributions also came from Smriti Mandhana (45 off 58 balls, 8 fours) and Richa Ghosh (34 off 24 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes). Shafali, who was brought back into the squad after Pratika Rawal’s injury for the knockout stages, along with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, ignited India’s innings. Cheered on by 45,000 passionate home fans, their opening partnership of 104 runs off 106 balls set a formidable foundation, marking only the second century-plus opening stand in Women’s ODI World Cup finals.
The opening pair played with delightful aggression, reaching India’s fifty in just 39 balls and accelerating to 64 for no loss within 10 overs. Shafali, repeatedly charging the bowlers, smashed two impressive sixes, including a particularly memorable one off de Klerk. She reached her fifth WODI half-century in 49 balls, her first in over three years, demonstrating an fearless approach against the Proteas. Though she narrowly missed her maiden century, falling for 87 while attempting to clear mid-off, her innings was a highlight. Ayabonga Khaka, who was South Africa’s most effective bowler with three for 58 in nine overs, managed to take crucial wickets at regular intervals. Notably, Shafali’s 87 stands as the highest individual score by an Indian opener in any World Cup final (men’s or women’s, ODI or T20I). At just 21 years and 278 days, she also became the youngest player to score a half-century in a Women’s ODI World Cup final.
South Africa breathed a sigh of relief when Mandhana was caught behind, attempting to cut Chloe Tryon. However, Shafali, who had begun her innings with a boundary off Khaka, continued her onslaught, forging a 62-run partnership off 62 balls with semi-final centurion Jemimah Rodrigues (24 off 37 balls). Determined to secure their own maiden World Cup, South Africa benefited from an economical spell by left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba, who conceded just 47 runs in 10 overs on a batting-friendly pitch, effectively curbing India’s scoring rate. Despite India’s formidable start, South Africa’s fightback prevented them from reaching the psychologically significant 300-run mark. Nevertheless, India’s total stood as the second-highest ever in a Women’s ODI World Cup final, surpassed only by Australia’s 356 for five against England in 2022. Khaka struck in successive overs, dismissing both Shafali and Jemimah (caught at extra cover), while Mlaba accounted for skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (20 off 29 balls), breaking a promising 56-ball, 52-run partnership with Deepti Sharma.
India was comfortably positioned at 223 for three in the 39th over when Harman’s dismissal, attempting a late cut, slowed their momentum. This setback meant India managed only 75 runs in the remaining overs, largely propelled by Richa Ghosh’s powerful hitting. Her 35-ball, 47-run stand with Deepti electrified the crowd. Richa, who had previously scored a potent 94 off 77 balls against the same team in the group stage, provided crucial impetus, smashing sixes off de Klerk and Kapp – including a magnificent shot over extra cover from a wide yorker. Deepti, a consistent anchor, notched her 18th ODI half-century and third of the tournament before being run out on the final ball. While South Africa’s ground fielding was generally excellent, they squandered two crucial chances. Shafali, on 53 in the 21st over, was dropped by Anneke Bosch at deep mid-wicket off Sune Luus. Later, in the 40th over, captain Laura Wolvaardt grassed Deepti’s catch at long-on, and Marizanne Kapp also missed a slightly tougher chance off Deepti from her own bowling.