ICC Women's World Cup Final Award Ceremony AS IT HAPPENED: India Women scripted history on Sunday (November 2) at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, lifting their first-ever ICC Women's World Cup title after a dominant 52-run win over South Africa.
In front of a roaring home crowd, Harmanpreet Kaur's side delivered a clinical all-round performance to cap off a remarkable campaign with a fairytale finish.
MATCH/TOURNAMENT AWARDS
Player Of The Match: Shafali Verma
Player Of The Tournament: Deepti Sharma
Top Run-Getter: Laura Wolvaardt (571 runs)
Top Wicket-Taker: Deepti Sharma (22 wickets)
After being put in to bat, India posted a formidable 298 for 7 in their 50 overs, thanks to a spectacular opening stand between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana. The duo added 104 runs
for the first wicket, laying the perfect foundation. Shafali, who came in as an injury replacement for Pratika Rawal, played the innings of her life - smashing 87 off just 78 balls, peppered with seven boundaries and two towering sixes. Mandhana's fluent 45 complemented her perfectly before she fell to Chloe Tryon.
Deepti Sharma anchored the middle order with a steady half-century, while quick cameos from Jemimah Rodrigues (28) and Richa Ghosh (34 off 24) powered India close to the 300-mark. Ayabonga Khaka was South Africa's best bowler, claiming 3 for 58, while Nonkululeko Mlaba and Tryon chipped in with crucial wickets.
Chasing 299, South Africa began positively through captain Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, but India's fielding brilliance soon shifted momentum. Brits was run out following sharp work from the deep, and Anneke Bosch fell cheaply to Sree Charani. Wolvaardt, however, held firm, crafting a magnificent century to keep South Africa in the contest.
Yet, India's bowlers rose to the occasion. Shafali continued her dream game by dismissing Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp in quick succession, while Deepti Sharma spun a web around the middle order, finishing with figures of 4 for 43. Her crucial dismissal of Wolvaardt, who became the first woman to score hundreds in both a semifinal and final of a World Cup, effectively sealed the game.
South Africa eventually folded well short, with India celebrating a historic triumph that signaled a new era for women's cricket in the country. As the tricolor waved proudly in the stands, Harmanpreet Kaur's team stood tall - world champions at last.
