The Indian women’s cricket team were crowned champions of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 on Sunday at the DY Patil Stadium, securing a 52-run victory over South Africa.
India posted a total of 298, then
bowled out the Protea women for 246. Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma were the standout performers with both bat and ball, each scoring a half-century in the first innings and taking crucial wickets in the second.
Former Indian stars Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami and Anjum Chopra joined in on the trophy celebrations in a nod to the trialblazing work the veterans have done for the sport in the nation.
Following a lengthy rain delay, South Africa opted to field first. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma opened for India, establishing a 106-run partnership before Mandhana was dismissed for 45 by Chloe Tryon, caught by Sinalo Jafta. Jemimah Rodrigues replaced Mandhana, maintaining the run flow briefly.
Verma top-scored for India with 87 runs before being dismissed by Ayabonga Khaka, with Sune Luus taking the catch. Khaka also dismissed Rodrigues, who managed 24 runs, falling short of her semi-final performance.
Harmanpreet Kaur added 20 runs from 29 balls before being bowled by Nonkululeko Mlaba. Amanjot Kaur was dismissed for 12 runs by Nadine de Klerk, caught off her own bowling.
Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh put up a strong stand towards the end of the innings, helping India finish robustly. Deepti scored a run-a-ball 58 before being run out by Tryon, while Ghosh added 34 runs off 24 balls before falling to Khaka.
India set a target of 299 for South Africa. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits opened for South Africa, putting up a 51-run stand before Amanjot Kaur’s fielding brilliance ran out Brits for 23 runs.
Sree Charani dismissed Anneke Bosch for a duck after six deliveries. Sune Luus and Wolvaardt then steadied the chase until Shafali Verma’s inspired spell resulted in Luus’s dismissal for 25 and Marizanne Kapp for 4 in quick succession.
Jafta was dismissed by Deepti Sharma, with Radha Yadav taking the catch. Annerie Dercksen then joined her captain, who continued to push the scoreboard with a captain’s knock. However, Deepti took another wicket, dismissing Dercksen for 35 off 37 balls.
Wolvaardt completed her century in the 40th over, leaving South Africa needing 88 runs in the final 10 overs. India gained the upper hand when Amanjot caught Wolvaardt on the third attempt, giving Deepti her third wicket. Tryon became Deepti’s fourth victim.
Deepti ran out Khaka for 1, then took her fifth wicket, sealing India’s victory as de Klerk was dismissed, giving India their first World Cup title.
