Navi Mumbai, Nov 3 (UNI) Deepti Sharma’s all-round brilliance powered India Women to their first World Cup title, defeating South Africa Women by 52 runs in the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy here tonight.
Deepti’s composed 58 off 58 balls anchored India’s innings, while her fiery five-wicket spell dismantled the South African batting lineup, cementing her role as the pivot of India’s historic triumph.
India had reached the ICC Women’s World Cup final on two occasions, but ended as runners-up. In 2005, they lost to Australia by 98 runs, and in 2017, they were narrowly defeated by England by just 9 runs. These two finals were moments of heartbreak for the team, coming before their historic triumph in 2025.
After rain delayed the start, South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl. India’s innings got off to a solid start with Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana putting on a 104-run opening stand.
Player of the Match Shafali scored a blistering 87 off 78 balls, featuring seven fours and two towering sixes, combining aggression with precise timing. Her fluent strokeplay and smart strike rotation ensured India maintained momentum throughout the innings before she was eventually caught at mid-off by Sune Luus.
As wickets fell, Deepti entered at a critical juncture and guided India through the middle overs, joining Harmanpreet Kaur in a 52-run fifth-wicket partnership. Deepti reached her 50 with a deft nudge to square leg, struck a towering six over deep mid-wicket off Marizanne Kapp, and timed drives expertly through extra cover and short fine leg. Extras contributed 15 runs, including 12 wides, helping India reach a formidable 298 for 7 in 50 overs.
Shafali also made a crucial impact with the ball, taking two key wickets in quick succession. She first dismissed Marizanne Kapp for 4, with a well-directed leg-side delivery safely taken by Richa Ghosh, and immediately struck again with a sharp caught-and-bowled to remove Sune Luus. These wickets came at a crucial stage, breaking a threatening partnership and consolidating India’s control, earning her praise as the team’s “golden arm.”
Chasing 299, South Africa’s pursuit was anchored by captain Laura Wolvaardt, who produced a brilliant 101 off 98 balls, becoming only the second batswoman in Women’s World Cup history, after Alyssa Healy in 2022, to score hundreds in both the semifinal and final of the same edition. Tazmin Brits added 23 before being run out, while Annerie Dercksen contributed 35. Despite these efforts, South Africa struggled against India’s disciplined bowling.
Deepti turned the game decisively with the ball, claiming key wickets including Sinalo Jafta, Annerie Dercksen, Wolvaardt, Chloe Tryon, and Nadine de Klerk, with the latter caught spectacularly by captain Harmanpreet Kaur at extra cover in the 46th over, sealing India’s victory and igniting euphoric celebrations.
Fireworks lit up the stadium as players embraced, celebrating a journey from struggle to the pinnacle of women’s cricket. Deepti’s all-round mastery, alongside Shafali Verma’s exceptional contributions with bat and ball, epitomised India’s depth, resilience, and balance, marking a historic moment for Indian women’s cricket.
