Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana felt emotional as she reflected on her team’s journey and hard-fought triumph at the Women’s World Cup 2025, after
the Women in Blue lifted their maiden ICC title at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, November 2.
Mandhana played a crucial role in India’s victory, scoring 45 runs and sharing a 104-run opening stand before being dismissed. Her foundation allowed Shafali Verma (87) and Deepti Sharma to steer the innings, setting South Africa a challenging target of 299.
Deepti then starred with the ball, claiming a brilliant five-wicket haul (5/39) as India bowled South Africa out for 246, sealing the nation’s first-ever Women’s World Cup title and becoming only the fourth team to win the Women’s ODI World Cup. Mandhana said it felt incredible to finally experience the joy of victory after enduring several heartbreaks in past campaigns.
"Every World Cup we've gone into, there have been so many heartbreaks for all of us. However, we always believed that we had a greater responsibility - not just to win, but to continue growing women's cricket. And honestly, just look at the support we've had over the last month and a half. It's been incredible. To finally lift the World Cup today - I'll take those 45 sleepless nights any day for this moment. That last World Cup was definitely tough for all of us to take. But after that, we had a clear focus - to get fitter, stronger, and better in every area," Mandhana said to the broadcasters after the victory.
"And honestly, what's special about this team - and no one really talks about it - is how much we stuck together. Everyone supported each other, through good days and bad. We genuinely celebrated each other's success. The team environment this time... it was just so positive, so connected. That's been the biggest difference, I think," Mandhana added.
Mandhana finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the Women’s World Cup 2025, amassing 434 runs in nine innings at an impressive average of 54.25.
