In the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2025 final played in Navi Mumbai, India clinched their first title as they bagged a 52-run win against South Africa. Earlier, at the toss, South Africa captain
Laura Wolvaardt emerged victorious and elected to bowl first. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave a ferocious start to the home side as both built a 104-run stand for the first wicket off 106 balls. Spinner Chloe Tryon delivered the maiden breakthrough to her team. She got Mandhana caught at the hands of wicket-keeper Sinalo Jafta. Verma's innings also concluded after amassing an excellent 87 off 78. Ayabonga Khaka took her crucial scalp.
Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur struggled to score runs at a swift pace and departed after chipping in with their 24 (37) and 20 (39). Amanjot Kaur became Nadine de Klerk's hunt and walked back to the dugout after scoring 12 off 14. Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh put up a solid 47-run stand for the sixth wicket off 35 balls and helped India erect a total of 298/7 in their 50 overs. Deepti scored a run-a-ball 58 while Richa contributed with her 34 off 24. Khaka emerged as the most effective bowler for South Africa. The veteran pacer registered 3/58 figures in her nine overs.
Laura Wolvaardt's batting efforts went in vain as India bowlers stood tall in the second innings
Defending the total, India struggled to do any damage to South Africa for the initial nine overs, but in the 10th over, Amanjot Kaur's direct hit against Tazmin Brits led to India's first breakthrough in the match. Anneke Bosch became Shree Charani's victim in the 12th over and went back to the pavilion with a six-ball duck. However, Laura Wolvaardt didn't lose hope and kept the one end. With Sune Luus, she built a run-a-ball 52-run partnership for the third wicket but Shafali Verma broke their partnership.
Varma picked up Luus (25 off 31) and Marizanne Kapp (4 off 5) in her back-to-back overs and brought Indiaback into the match. With South Africa reeling at a total of 148/5, Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen took the matter into their hands and stitched a 61-run stand. Deepti clenaed up Dercksen and brought the Protea's innings to an end at her score of 35 off 37.
Wolvaardt brought her ton in 96 balls but couldn't take the team home. The 26-year-old lost her wicket against Deepti in the 42nd over and ended her valiant knock on 101 off 98. Eventually, South Africa got bundled out on 246 in 45.3 overs as captain Harmanpreet took Nadine's catch on Deepti's delivery.
