The India women’s cricket team defeated the South Africa women’s cricket team by 52 runs in the final to claim their first ever Women’s Cricket World Cup title
India’s Innings – Key Moments
- India got off to a strong start with their openers putting up a steady foundation. According to one report, there was a 104-run opening partnership. The Indian Express+1
- Shafali Verma was the standout batter for India, making 87 runs off 78 balls, anchoring the innings and giving India momentum. The Guardian+2espncricinfo.com+2
- Deepti Sharma contributed with the bat as well, scoring 58 runs (run-a-ball) to bolster the total. Reuters+2espncricinfo.com+2
- India looked in a position to push beyond 300 at one stage, but they slipped a bit in the last ten overs, losing quick wickets.
- Important for India: their total of 298 provided a strong target and pressured South Africa.
South Africa’s Chase – Key Moments
- South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt rose to the occasion, scoring a superb 101 runs from 98 balls.
- Despite her century, South Africa struggled with consistent support at the other end; India’s bowlers got key breakthroughs.
- India’s bowling highlight: Deepti Sharma picked up 5 wickets for 39 runs (5-39), turning the game in India’s favour.
- The match looked like swinging back in South Africa’s favour when Wolvaardt and a partner built a late partnership, but India held their nerve — catching and fielding came together. For example, a sharp run-out of Ayabonga Khaka and a diving catch by captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
Turning Points & What Gave India the Edge
- The strong total of 298 provided India with a cushion — though South Africa’s chase started well, the required run-rate ramped up and India’s bowlers exploited pressure.
- Shafali Verma’s all-round contribution: besides her 87 with the bat, she also took 2 wickets. That dual impact gave India momentum.
- Deepti Sharma’s five-wicket haul broke key partnerships and removed South Africa’s top batters at critical junctures.
- India’s fielding was sharp in the closing stages — sharp catches, direct hits, run-outs helped them close out the match.
- South Africa’s chase, while built around a great century, lacked enough partnerships and suffered from losing wickets at regular intervals, which prevented them from maintaining the required run-rate.
Significance & Records
- This was India’s first ever Women’s Cricket World Cup title.
- It was also the first Women’s ODI World Cup final that did not feature either Australia or England.
- Wolvaardt became only the second player to score back-to-back hundreds at semis/finals in a Women’s World Cup.
- India’s journey to the title had been shaky earlier in the tournament (they had three losses in the league phase) but they peaked at the right time.
Final Take
India managed to bring together batting, bowling and fielding at the right moment. While their batting set up a platform and launched them into a strong position, their bowlers — especially Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma — closed it out. South Africa’s valiant effort, particularly via Wolvaardt’s century, fell short because wickets kept tumbling at the other end and the mounting required rate in the chase added pressure.From resources indianexpress
Here are the key highlights of the match:
- The India women’s cricket team defeated the South Africa women’s cricket team by 52 runs in the final to claim their first ever Women’s Cricket World Cup title.
- The final was played at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
- Key performances:
- Shafali Verma scored 87 and also took two wickets.
- Deepti Sharma scored 58 and took 5 for 39, and was named Player of the Tournament.
- South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt scored a brilliant 101, but it wasn’t enough.
- The win is being called a historic “watershed” moment for women’s cricket in India.
