India made cricket history by winning the inaugural ICC Women’s World Cup, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a dramatic final at Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium. Harmanpreet Kaur’s outstanding leadership led to a performance full of courage, teamwork, and emotion.
After a brief rain delay, South Africa decided to field first. India’s openers, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, got off to a flying start, scoring 104 runs for the first wicket. Shafali scored 87 off 78 balls with his typical flair, while Mandhana added 45. Despite a mid-innings wobble, Deepti Sharma steadied the innings with a controlled 58, and Richa Ghosh’s quick 34 led India to a strong 298 for 7, one of the greatest totals in a World Cup final.
In response, South Africa began confidently through Laura Wolvaardt’s stunning century, but stumbled after her dismissal. Deepti’s all-round ability emerged once more with a decisive 4-wicket haul, while Shafali’s spin delivered two key breakthroughs. The Proteas were bowled out for 246 in 45 overs.
The win sparked nationwide celebrations, marking a watershed moment in Indian women’s cricket and pushing a new generation of players to dream big.
