India beat South Africa by 52 runs to lift World Cup; Shafali, Deepti shine

Indian bowlers kept things tight and picked up wickets at regular intervals to bowl out the opponents for 246, in 45. 3 overs, after posting a competitive 298 runs for the loss of seven wickets on the scoreboard.

In the run chase, South African captain Laura Wolvaardt (101) showed determination as she scored a much-needed century, hammering 11 boundaries and a six, before being dismissed.

Annerie Dercksen (35) remained the only other hope for South Africa, who added some spark at the end of the innings.

Indian fans suffered heartbreak in 2005 and again in 2017 when the women failed to lift the title, but in 2025, Kaur's charged-up, fearless brigade looked desperate to win it.

Deepti Sharma bowled a dream spell in the match and picked up five wickets to destroy the South African squad, helping to clinch the title that had eluded them for long.

Shafali Verma scalped the crucial wickets of Sune Luus  (25) and Marizanne Kapp (4) to break the partnership and give South Africa quick jolts that pushed the opponents to the zone of discomfort.

After India took the final wicket, an emotional celebration and a cheering stadium helped fans forget the heartbreak suffered by the men's team in 2023 in Ahmedabad when Australia beat India to win the title.

Interestingly, Rohit Sharma, who led the Indian men's team in the final then, was present in the gallery when Kaur and her warriors wrote a historic script on the field.

Earlier, India women produced a disciplined batting display to post 298 for seven in their allotted 50 overs against South Africa in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy.

After being asked to bat, openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave India a strong start with a 104-run stand. Shafali set the tone with an aggressive 87 off 78 balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes, while Mandhana contributed a composed 45 off 58 deliveries.

Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur got starts but failed to convert them into big scores before Deepti Sharma anchored the middle order with a steady 58. She shared useful partnerships with Amanjot Kaur (12) and Richa Ghosh, who provided late momentum with a brisk 34 off 24 balls, including three fours and two sixes.

Richa’s innovative strokeplay — highlighted by a reverse sweep and a towering six over extra cover — kept the crowd on its feet. South Africa’s fielding lapses, including two dropped catches by Anneke Bosch, proved costly as India maintained their scoring tempo through the innings.

The South African bowlers challenged the Indians with Ayabonga Khaka leading the attack with 3 for 58, while Nonkululeko Mlaba, Chole Tryon, and Nadine de Klerk chipped in with a wicket apiece.