Navi Mumbai, India – In a momentous clash at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium, India defeated South Africa by 52 runs to win the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025. This historic victory marks India's first-ever World Cup crown in women's cricket, sending waves of jubilation across the nation.
After losing the toss and being put in to bat, India set a formidable target of 298/7 in their 50 overs. Shafali Verma spearheaded the Indian innings with a brilliant 87 off 78 balls, her highest score in ODIs. Deepti Sharma contributed a crucial 58, anchoring the middle overs. Richa Ghosh added late fireworks with a rapid 34 off 24 deliveries. Ayabonga Khaka was the pick of the South African bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for 58 runs.
South Africa's chase began steadily, with the opening pair building a 50-run partnership. However, Amanjot Kaur's sharp fielding led to a crucial run-out of Tazmin Brits, breaking the opening stand. Despite the setback, South Africa remained in contention, largely due to captain Laura Wolvaardt's magnificent century. Wolvaardt's 101 kept South Africa's hopes alive, but her dismissal in the 42nd over proved to be the turning point.
Deepti Sharma's game-changing spell saw her grab the crucial wickets of Wolvaardt and Chloe Tryon in quick succession, shifting the momentum decisively in India's favor. The South African innings then crumbled, as they slumped from 209/5 to 246 all out. Sharma finished with a stellar five-wicket haul, sealing India's victory. Shafali Verma also contributed with the ball, taking two important wickets.
The victory was particularly sweet for India, who had previously fallen short in the finals of 2005 and 2017. This win also marks the first time an Asian women's team has won a global title across all formats.
Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian captain, held onto the final catch, sparking scenes of wild celebration both on and off the field. The packed crowd of 45,000 at the DY Patil Stadium erupted in joy, as did millions of fans watching across India.
Smriti Mandhana finished the tournament as India's leading run-scorer with 434 runs, surpassing Mithali Raj's previous record from the 2017 World Cup.
This World Cup final was also unique as it was the first time in the history of the competition that neither Australia nor England featured in the final. Australia remains the most successful team in Women's ODI World Cups with seven titles.
The Indian team's remarkable performance throughout the tournament, including a crucial win against New Zealand after facing near-elimination, culminated in this historic triumph. Deepti Sharma was the undeniable star of the final, with her all-round performance earning her the Player of the Match award. This victory signifies a new era for women's cricket in India and will undoubtedly inspire future generations of cricketers.
