Navi Mumbai, November 3 — The Indian women’s cricket team etched their name in history on Sunday by winning their maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a high-voltage final at DY Patil Stadium. The triumph ended India’s 47-year-long wait for a world title, igniting celebrations across the country.
Batting first, India showcased a commanding performance. Shafali Verma’s blazing 87 set the platform, followed by Deepti Sharma’s steady 58 and Smriti Mandhana’s fluent 45. Richa Ghosh’s brisk 34 pushed the total to an imposing 298 for seven. South Africa’s Ayabonga Khaka fought hard with three wickets, but her efforts went in vain as India’s batters dominated throughout.
In response, South Africa began confidently under captain Laura Wolvaardt, who struck her second straight century of the tournament. However, her dismissal triggered a collapse that saw the Proteas bowled out for 246. Deepti Sharma starred with the ball as well, taking a five-wicket haul, while Shafali Verma chipped in with two vital wickets to ensure India’s emphatic victory.
Soon after the win, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a massive cash reward of ₹51 crore for the World Cup-winning team, honoring their historic achievement and resilience.
The victory is being hailed as a defining moment for Indian cricket — a testament to the rise of women’s sports and a celebration of teamwork, perseverance, and national pride.
