The Indian women’s team scripted history on Sunday by securing their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup crown with their win over South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai as the hosts registered a 52-run win over the Protea women.
Chairperson of the Reliance Foundation, Mrs. Nita Ambani, who was in attendance for the historic moment expressed her pride with the unprecedented achievement and added that the performance of the side had filled the nation with pride.
“At the stroke of midnight, our girls have won the first ever ICC World Championship,” Mrs. Ambani said.
“I think you have made the whole nation swell with pride, the way you have played with courage, conviction and confidence,” she added.
“We are all so proud of you and I want to say
thank you, thank you, dhanyavad and Jai Hind,” the philanthropist added.
Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma excelled with both bat and ball, each scoring a half-century in the first innings and later contributing crucial wickets to trouble South Africa.
After a prolonged rain delay, South Africa opted to field first. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma opened for India, putting up a 106-run partnership before Mandhana was caught by Sinalo Jafta off Chloe Tryon for 45. Jemimah Rodrigues replaced Mandhana and added some runs.
Verma top-scored for India with 87 before being caught by Sune Luus off Ayabonga Khaka. Khaka also dismissed Rodrigues, who could only manage 24 runs.
Harmanpreet Kaur contributed 20 runs from 29 balls before being bowled by Nonkululeko Mlaba. Amanjot Kaur was dismissed for 12 runs by Nadine de Klerk, who caught her off her own bowling.
Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh put up a strong partnership towards the end of the innings. Deepti scored a run-a-ball 58 before being run out by Tryon, while Ghosh scored 34 off 24 balls before falling to Khaka.
India set a target of 299 for South Africa. Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits opened the innings with a 51-run stand before Amanjot Kaur ran out Brits for 23.
Sree Charani dismissed Anneke Bosch for a duck after six deliveries. Sune Luus and Wolvaardt pushed South Africa’s chase forward, but Shafali Verma took quick wickets, dismissing Luus for 25 and Marizanne Kapp for 4.
Jafta was caught by Radha Yadav off Deepti, adding 16 runs. Annerie Dercksen joined her captain to try and stabilize the innings before Deepti dismissed Dercksen for 35.
Wolvaardt completed her century in the 40th over, leaving South Africa needing 88 runs in the final 10 overs. However, India gained the upper hand when Amanjot caught Wolvaardt on the third attempt, giving Deepti her third wicket. Tryon became Deepti’s fourth victim, and Deepti ran out Khaka for 1 before sealing the win with her fifth wicket, dismissing de Klerk. This victory crowned India as the champions of the world.
