A Dream Fulfilled: India's Maiden World Cup Glory
The 2025 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, culminated in an electrifying final that will be etched in cricket history. On a balmy evening at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, under the watchful eyes of a roaring home crowd, India scripted a fairy-tale ending to their long wait for the ODI World Cup crown. Batting first after winning the toss, India posted a formidable 284/7 in 50 overs, powered by opener Shafali Verma's explosive 87 off 65 balls, laced with aggressive strokeplay that set the tone early. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana contributed a steady 52, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur's unbeaten 45 provided the finishing touches, ensuring a competitive total on a pitch offering variable bounce.
South Africa, chasing 285, started strongly with captain Laura Wolvaardt's fluent 43, but India's bowlers struck back decisively. Deepti Sharma was the standout performer, claiming 4/42 and breaking key partnerships, including the vital wicket of Wolvaardt, caught brilliantly by Amanjot Kaur. Shafali Verma, surprisingly handed the ball by Kaur, justified the faith with 2/31, including early strikes that rattled the Proteas' top order. South Africa folded at 232 all out in 45.3 overs, handing India a convincing 52-run victory—their first World Cup title in the 50-over format after runner-up finishes in 2005 and 2017.
Key Performers: The Heroes Who Delivered
- Shafali Verma (Player of the Match): The 21-year-old opener's fearless 87 in the final, combined with her surprise bowling stint, earned her the accolade. Her semifinal heroics—a quickfire 26 off 16 including two massive sixes—had already signaled her form
. - Deepti Sharma: The all-rounder's 4/42 was a masterclass in control and variation, complementing her tournament tally of 200+ runs. Her composure under pressure was pivotal
. - Smriti Mandhana (Player of the Tournament): With 456 runs across the event, including a century and two fifties, Mandhana's consistency anchored India's batting lineup
. - Harmanpreet Kaur: The skipper's tactical acumen, from promoting herself down the order to Verma’s bowling gambit, shone through. Her emotional post-match speech—"It's still sinking in"—captured the magnitude of the moment
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Jemimah Rodrigues' unbeaten 127 in the semifinal chase against Australia—a record 338-run pursuit—remains one of the tournament's highlights, underscoring the team's depth
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A Tournament of Milestones and Records
The 2025 edition shattered attendance records, with packed stadiums from Colombo to Mumbai reflecting the surge in women's cricket popularity. The total prize money reached an unprecedented USD 13.88 million (₹123 crore), a 297% increase from 2022, underscoring the ICC's commitment to gender equity. India pocketed USD 4.48 million (₹39.78 crore) as winners, boosted by the BCCI's additional Rs 51 crore bonus—announced by secretary Devajit Saikia—celebrating the historic feat.
Wolvaardt's tournament-leading runs and Rodrigues' semifinal ton were among other standout moments, but India's collective resilience—from overcoming early group-stage jitters to the final's dominance—defined their campaign.
Nationwide Euphoria and Lasting Impact
The victory triggered an outpouring of joy across India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the team's "exceptional teamwork and tenacity," while President Droupadi Murmu called it a "watershed moment" that would elevate women's cricket. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla echoed, "You've won hearts across the nation." The team is slated to meet PM Modi on November 5, with celebrations planned nationwide.
In a touching display of sportsmanship, Indian players consoled their South African counterparts post-match, embodying cricket's spirit amid the heartbreak. This triumph, as Kaur noted, is "for every daughter who dared to dream," promising to inspire generations and solidify women's cricket's place in India's sporting landscape.
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