India Players celebrate their victory against South Africa in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final held in Navi Mumbai, India on November 3, 2025

 India secured its inaugural Women’s Cricket World Cup title, triumphing over South Africa by 52 runs on Sunday, thanks to outstanding all-round contributions from Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma. Opening batter Verma, who was recalled to the squad as an injury replacement for the finals, delivered a career-best performance with 87 runs off 78 balls as the tournament co-hosts posted 298-7 in their 50 overs after losing the toss and opting to bat first. In response, South Africa was bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs, with their pursuit effectively ended when captain Laura Wolvaardt fell for 101 runs Spinner Sharma claimed the last wicket of the match, finishing with impressive bowling figures of 5-39 from 9.3 overs “This moment we’ve been anticipating has finally arrived,” said India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, reflecting on the victory following two previous final losses. “We aim to make this success a regular occurrence” India was the last of the four teams to advance to the semifinals but managed to defeat the defending champions and seven-time winners Australia by five wickets to secure a spot in the final. Meanwhile, South Africa bested four-time champions England by 125 runs to reach the finals for the first time. Winning at home marked India’s first significant achievement in women’s cricket. Harmanpreet Kaur’s team became the first first-time champions since 2000, when New Zealand broke the long-standing dominance of Australia and England. 

Player of the match Verma

 who was included in the squad last week for the injured Pratika Rawal, took 2-36 with the ball and was named player of the match. “God sent me to make a positive impact, which I believe happened today,” the 21-year-old Verma stated. “I concentrated solely on scoring runs today. My mind was clear.” Prior to her five-wicket haul, Sharma (58) achieved her third half-century of the tournament, assisting India in reaching the second highest total in a World Cup final after Australia’s 356-5 against England in 2022. She concluded the tournament with 22 wickets and 215 runs across nine matches, earning the player of the tournament accolade. “I found joy in my batting and bowling,” Sharma remarked about the final. “We didn’t allow ourselves to relax, yet we remained calm. I dedicate this trophy to my parents.” Wolvaardt produced a superb century following her impressive semifinal showing. She stood out as the tournament’s top scorer, amassing 571 runs at an average of 71.37. As they chased a record target of 299, South Africa began cautiously under tremendous pressure from medium pacer Renuka Singh.

                      C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S.

 Wolvaardt and her partner established a 51-run opening partnership before Amanjot Kaur’s direct throw resulted in Tazmin Brits being run out for 23 in the 10th over. Anneke Bosche was dismissed for a duck, but Wolvaardt reached her half-century in 45 balls. She scored 52 runs off 51 balls alongside Sune Luus, who contributed 25. India lost its review in a desperate attempt to dismiss Wolvaardt, and then gambled with Verma’s gentle off-breaks.

This strategy paid off with a double blow – Verma took two wickets in the span of six deliveries, leaving South Africa in a difficult position at 123-4 in 22.1 overs. She caught Luus off an easy return catch and then sent Marizanne Kapp (4) back to the pavilion via a catch behind. Wolvaardt aimed to keep the chase alive through collaborations with Sinalo Jafta (16) and Annerie Dercksen, who scored 35. In doing so, she brought up her century off 96 balls. Sharma dismissed Dercksen and diminished South Africa’s hopes when Wolvaardt was caught by Kaur in the 42nd over, with the total standing at 220-7.

Verma played a crucial role in posting a challenging score after the final was delayed by two hours due to rain. She struck seven fours and two sixes, partnering with Smriti Mandhana (45) to establish a 104-run opening partnership. After Chloe Tryon got Mandhana out in the 18th over, Verma collaborated with Jemimah Rodrigues (24) to add another 62 runs before both batters fell. From a score of 171-3 in 29.4 overs, skipper Harmanpreet attempted to restore momentum but was bowled by Nonkululeko Mlaba in the 39th over, contributing only 20 runs. However, she added 52 runs off 56 balls with Sharma.

Sharma anchored the innings with a run-a-ball 58, which included three fours and a six, and partnered with Richa Ghosh for a vital 47-run sixth-wicket partnership that helped establish the winning total. The Board of Control for Cricket in India celebrated the tournament’s conclusion with a social media post highlighting the historic victory, topping the congratulatory note with the letters: C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S.

Link- www.Socialbreaf.in.net