India women script history with maiden ICC Cricket World Cup triumph
Shafali Verma stars with career best 87 as India outclass South Africa by 52 runs to lift their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup title
India, Nov 3 : The Indian women’s cricket team created history on Sunday, lifting their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title after defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final. The victory marked a defining moment in Indian cricket, as Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma produced match winning performances that rekindled memories of India’s iconic 1983 triumph.
Recalled to the squad as an injury replacement for the knockout stages, 21 year old Shafali Verma rose to the occasion on the grandest stage. She smashed a career best 87 off 78 balls, anchoring a century partnership with Smriti Mandhana (45) that gave India a blazing start. Supported by Deepti Sharma’s composed 58 and Richa Ghosh’s explosive 34 from 24 balls, India posted a formidable total of 298 for six in their 50 overs.
The match, delayed by two hours due to rain, began under high tension but quickly turned into a spectacle for the fans. Shafali and Smriti dominated the South African attack, taking India past 100 inside 18 overs. Left-arm spinner Chloe Tryon eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Mandhana, but Shafali continued her assault with effortless boundaries and towering sixes before falling to Ayabonga Khaka.
Deepti Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur (20) steadied the innings in the middle overs, while a fiery cameo from Richa Ghosh ensured India crossed 290.
Chasing 299, South Africa made a cautious start under overcast conditions. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt led from the front, but India’s disciplined bowling kept the pressure on. Amanjot Kaur’s brilliant direct hit and Sree Charani’s LBW dismissal of Anneke Bosch gave India the upper hand.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s tactical decision to bring in part timer Shafali Verma proved decisive, as the youngster struck twice to remove key batters Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp. Deepti Sharma’s clinical spell sealed the game for India, with South Africa bowled out for 246.
As the clock struck midnight, the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai erupted in joy. The Indian women had finally achieved what had eluded them in 2005 and 2017 a World Cup title.
A day marked by history, heroics, and heart India’s women have arrived as world champions, etching their names forever in cricketing glory.
