India lifted their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup title with a commanding 52-run victory over South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, ending decades of heartbreak with a performance built on Shafali Verma’s forceful 87 and Deepti Sharma’s superb all-round display. The triumph arrived just days after India’s record-breaking semifinal chase against Australia, and marked a cathartic moment after the painful losses in the 2005 and 2017 finals.
Put in to bat after South Africa won the toss, India produced one of their most disciplined batting performances of the tournament. Shafali and Smriti Mandhana gave the hosts a fluent start, mixing caution and aggression during their 104-run partnership—only the second century opening stand in Women’s World Cup final history. Mandhana’s 45 was ended by Chloe Tryon, but Shafali continued unfazed, reaching her first ODI half-century in more than three years and eventually top-scoring with 87 off 78 balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes.
Jemimah Rodrigues (24) added stability before falling to Ayabonga Khaka, who spearheaded South Africa’s fightback through the middle overs. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (20) and Deepti Sharma rebuilt with a vital 52-run stand, and although Amanjot Kaur (12) departed early, the innings found late acceleration through Richa Ghosh’s lively 34 from 24 balls. Deepti’s composed 58 from 58 balls guided India to 298/7— the second-highest total ever recorded in a Women’s World Cup final.
Khaka led South Africa’s attack with 3/58, while Mlaba, Nadine de Klerk and Tryon picked a wicket each. Despite dropping key chances, South Africa’s fielders kept India just shy of the psychological 300-mark.
Chasing 299, South Africa began confidently through Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt, rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries. The visitors reached 50 in under nine overs, but Britain’s run-out for 23 triggered a shift in momentum. Shree Charani trapped Anneke Bosch for 5, and the innings slowed under India’s tightening spin web.
Wolvaardt remained composed, bringing up her fourth fifty of the tournament in 45 balls before becoming the highest scorer in a single Women’s World Cup edition, surpassing Alyssa Healy’s 509-run mark from 2022. But support from the other end remained inconsistent. Sune Luus (25) and Marizanne Kapp (4) perished to soft dismissals, the latter falling to Shafali’s golden arm as India tightened control.
Dercksen and Wolvaardt attempted to revive the chase with a spirited 61-run partnership, highlighted by Dercksen’s two sixes off Radha Yadav. The required rate, however, continued to climb. Deepti broke through with a dipping delivery to dismiss Dercksen for 35, and Wolvaardt moved to a superb 101—her second consecutive century in World Cup knockout matches.
The breakthrough India desperately needed came when Deepti lured Wolvaardt into a misjudged big shot, Amanjot settling under the catch to dismiss her for a valiant 101 off 98 balls. At 220/7, South Africa’s hopes faded rapidly. Deepti removed Tryon for 9, Khaka fell to a sharp run-out, and de Klerk became her fifth victim as South Africa were bowled out for 246.
Deepti finished with 5/39,the first Indian to take a five-wicket haul in a Women’s World Cup final—while Shafali added two crucial wickets to her batting heroics, cementing her status as one of the tournament’s standout performers.
For India, the win is more than a historic trophy; it signals a generational shift. The side that once wilted in big moments held firm in the most significant match in their history. The high-intensity World Cup campaign, marked by record-breaking totals, emerging talents and strategic consistency, may well serve as the launchpad for a new era in Indian women’s cricket.
Brief Scores:
India 298/7 in 50 overs (Shafali Verma 87, Deepti Sharma 58, Smriti Mandhana 45, Richa Ghosh 34; Ayabonga Khaka 3/58)
South Africa 246 in 45 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 101, Annerie Dercksen 35; Deepti Sharma 5/39, Shafali Verma 2/36)
India won by 52 runs.
Also read: India post 298, South Africa need 299 for Women World Cup title
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