In a historic and emotional night for Indian cricket, the Indian women’s team lifted their first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup trophy, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the grand finale at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The victory marks a new chapter in the country’s cricketing history, as millions of fans across India celebrated the long-awaited global triumph.
Batting first, India set a formidable total of 298 for 7, showcasing both flair and resilience. Shafali Verma, the young opening sensation, stole the show with a blistering 87 off 79 balls, setting the tone for the innings. She was well supported by Deepti Sharma, who played a composed knock of 58 runs, anchoring the middle order. A late flourish from Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet Kaur powered India close to the 300-mark, giving the bowlers a solid total to defend in front of a roaring home crowd.
South Africa, chasing 299 for victory, started strong but soon lost momentum after early breakthroughs by the Indian pace attack. Despite a fighting century from South African captain Laura Wolvaardt, who scored a brilliant 110, India’s disciplined bowling unit kept applying pressure. Deepti Sharma’s all-round brilliance continued as she claimed a stunning five-wicket haul, dismantling South Africa’s middle order and sealing India’s victory with 4.3 overs to spare.
The win was more than just a cricketing achievement—it was a moment of national pride. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the victory “historic” and praised the team for their “exceptional teamwork and tenacity.” Cricketing legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Mithali Raj, and Jhulan Goswami also congratulated the team, calling it the dawn of a new era for women’s cricket in India. Social media platforms were flooded with messages of joy and pride, as fans compared the moment to India’s iconic 1983 men’s World Cup win.
Harmanpreet Kaur, who led the team with passion and poise, hailed the win as the result of years of hard work and belief. She emphasized the importance of this victory in inspiring young girls to take up the sport and dream big. Deepti Sharma was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament for her all-round performances, finishing with 22 wickets and over 200 runs in the series.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a record cash prize of ₹51 crore for the players and support staff, recognizing their contribution to bringing the nation glory. This financial and emotional boost is expected to strengthen the foundation of women’s cricket in India, attracting more investment, sponsorships, and grassroots participation.
India’s triumph in the 2025 Women’s World Cup will be remembered as a turning point—an “1983 moment” for women’s cricket. It was a victory born from perseverance, teamwork, and the belief that Indian women could conquer the world’s best. As the tricolor waved high in the Mumbai night sky, one thing became clear: this is just the beginning of a golden era for Indian women’s cricket.
India are World Champions — and their journey has only just begun.