In the Final match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, India defeated South Africa by 52 runs at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
It was a batting effort that radiated intent and emotion. Smriti Mandhana (45) and Shafali Verma (87) started the innings with elegance and aggressiveness. Mandhana gave a powerful start from one end, but it was Verma who lit the stadium on fire. With a daring knock, including seven boundaries and two massive sixes, she represented the essence of Indian cricket: bold, unwavering, and stunning. As the innings went, the middle order maintained the flow. Jemimah Rodrigues (24) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (20) attempted to anchor, but Deepti Sharma‘s (58) cool brilliance transformed potential into force. Deepti’s fifty was a masterpiece in poise, blending attack and patience to help India finish well. Her partnerships with Amanjot Kaur and Richa Ghosh (34) provided crucial runs in the last overs. Richa, ever the spark, blasted three fours and two sixes, sending Indian emotions soaring. Though a total of over 300 appeared to be within sight, a lack of boundaries in the closing overs lost them the critical 15-20 runs. After 50 overs, India stood tall at 298/7, a total soaked in discipline, fortitude, and resolve.
In the chase, South Africa’s innings concentrated around one woman, Laura Wolvaardt (101). The skipper played with grace, grit, and shining class. Her century was one for ages. If she had batted a little longer, South Africa’s maiden World Cup victory would have been well within reach. Tazmin Brits (23) provided early assistance as well, but when she fell, the wickets slid like loose pages in the breeze. Luus (25) and Annerie Dercksen (35) attempted to rebuild, but Deepti’s magic kept pushing them back. Despite Wolvaardt’s valiant efforts, the chase lost direction following her discharge.
If the batters set the stage, the bowlers wrote the ending. Deepti went from anchor to assassin, creating webs around South Africa’s lineup. Her stint of 5 wickets for 39 runs was a masterpiece in control and bravery. Each ball appeared to speak resolve, each wicket a source of pride. Shafali, demonstrating she’s more than just a batter, struck twice in critical moments. Renuka Singh’s furious speed, Shree Charani’s smart variations, and Radha Yadav’s courageous spells kept the tension high.
For SA, Ayabonga Khaka was the star, taking three wickets. Her dismissals of Shafali, Jemimah, and Richa were the only instances of genuine breakthrough. Nonkululeko Mlaba also kept things tight with her spin taking one wicket, while Nadine de Klerk and Chloe Tryon also claimed one wicket each.
Shafali Verma was adjudged Player of the Match for her scintillating all round performance. She wasn’t the team’s first choice and hadn’t hit a fifty in 40 months, but on the grandest platform of all, she rose to the occasion, amassing her highest scores and collecting critical wickets to script India’s historic triumph.
With this win, India have clinched their first ever ICC Women’s Cricket Word Cup.
Scorecard:
India: 298/7, Overs 50, Shafali Verma 87, Ayabonga Khaka 3/58
South Africa: 246/10, Overs 45.3, Laura Wolvaardt 101, Deepti Sharma 5/39
