India won their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup on Sunday night, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
Throughout the event, India displayed exceptional poise and consistency under the direction of head coach Amol Muzumdar and captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Shafali Verma (87 runs, 2 wickets), Deepti Sharma (58 runs, 5 wickets), and Amanjot Kaur, whose incredible catch to dismiss Laura Wolvaardt changed the match decisively in India’s advantage, were the team’s main performers.
After scoring a valiant 58 to help India reach 298/7 in 50 overs, Deepti Sharma claimed 5-39. Then, he helped the hosts dismiss South Africa for 246 in 45.3 overs to complete a historic victory, making them just the third nation after Australia and England to win both the men’s and women’s ODI World Cup.
In the summit match, Shafali Verma had a significant effect with the ball, scoring twice in rapid succession to give India the victory. Prior to Sinalo Jafta falling as the fifth wicket, she tightened India’s hold on the match by dismissing Sune Luus in her opening over and then dismissing the dangerous Marizanne Kapp.
In the first innings, India scored 298/7, the second-highest total ever in a Women’s ODI World Cup final. At 223 for 3, India appeared poised for a huge score after a solid 100-run opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana (45) and Shafali Verma. However, South Africa fought back to limit them to just under 300.
While Deepti Sharma’s cool 58 offered stability in the middle order, Shafali stole the show with a fluid 87. With a quick 34, Richa Ghosh added to the innings’ late momentum.
Ayabonga Khaka was the most impressive bowler for South Africa, taking three wickets for fifty-eight, while Nonkululeko Mlaba, Nadine de Klerk, and Chloe Tryon each took one wicket.
With the intention of hitting another boundary, Wolvaardt threw it high. Amanjot Kaur stood on the rope, her eyes fixed, her nerves steely, the hopes of a country in her hands. She took off running. She jumped. India erupted when she landed with the ball in hand, having stretched every fiber of her being. That catch was more than a simple dismissal. It was salvation.
“I’m speechless,” remarked head coach Amol Muzumdar, overtaken with emotion. utterly pleased. They are deserving of this moment in every way.Every Indian is proud of their perseverance and faith.We don’t let early failures to determine who we are. We simply needed to finish better, although we dominated the most of the games. There was no turning back after we took that action.
Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of India, praised her team and thanked the audience for their support.
“I simply am so appreciative of this group. They have been outstanding. We appreciate everyone’s support during all of the highs and lows. A special gratitude goes out to our selectors, my dad (I nearly forgot him), and everyone back home. Many thanks. We always believed that, even after those three defeats. After the last game, we talked about it since we felt this team had what it took to make things better. Bravo to each and every member. Day and night, they remained upbeat, concentrated, and gave it their all. This team is deserving of their presence.This is only the start. We’ve succeeded in breaking this barrier, which was our goal. The next thing we want to do is make this a regular occurrence. Next year, we have the Champions Cup and another World Cup. We just want to keep getting better every day because big things are coming. This marks the beginning of a new chapter, not its conclusion.”
Smriti Mandhana, the vice captain of India, broke down in tears as she talked about her team’s World Cup journey and triumph.
“We have all experienced a great deal of heartbreak in each World Cup that we have participated in. But we always thought that we had a bigger duty—not just to win, but to keep women’s cricket progressing. Just take a look at the support we’ve received over the past month and a half, to be honest. It has been amazing. I’ll take those forty-five restless nights any day for the chance to ultimately win the World Cup today. It was undoubtedly difficult for all of us to endure the most recent World Cup. After that, though, our goal became very clear: to improve in every way—to get stronger, fitter, and better. And to be honest, nobody really discusses it, but what makes this squad unique is how unified we were. Through good times and bad, everyone helped one another. We truly rejoiced in each other’s accomplishments. This time, the team atmosphere was just so upbeat and cohesive. I believe that’s been the most significant change,” Mandhana continued.
“To be honest, we haven’t been able to shake that feeling, so it feels like a dream. I feel so good that I could help in a World Cup final in this manner. All-rounder Deepti Sharma, who claimed to have scored a valiant 58 and claimed 5-39 in the final to make it feasible to win the POTS trophy, stated, “I just wanted to dedicate this (POTS) trophy to my mom and dad.”
“I said at the beginning that God has sent me here to do something nice, and that reflected today,” said opener Shafali Verma, who received the POM. I can’t put into words how delighted I am that we won. Even though it was challenging, I had faith in my ability to succeed if I could maintain my composure. Everyone, including my brother, parents, and friends, encouraged me and gave me advice on how to play. For me and my squad, it was crucial, and all I wanted was for my team to win.I worked on my plans with a clear head.I was overjoyed to be able to execute, and I had the support of Smriti di and Harman di. When you reach that clarity, that’s all you need. The elders asked me to simply play my own game.”
The Indian women’s cricket team made history when they won the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, and President Droupadi Murmu praised them for their achievement.
President Murmu posted on X, “My heartiest congratulations to each and every member of the Indian women cricket team on winning the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025! They have created history by winning it for the first time. They have been playing well and today they got the result befitting their talent and performance. This watershed moment will take women cricket to still higher performances. I admire the way the girls have done India proud,”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the country in celebrating India’s first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup victory, praising the team’s tenacity and talent following their exciting 52-run victory over South Africa.
Taking to X, the Prime Minister wrote: “A spectacular win by the Indian team in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Finals. Their performance in the final was marked by great skill and confidence. The team showed exceptional teamwork and tenacity throughout the tournament. Congratulations to our players. This historic win will motivate future champions to take up sports.”
Jay Shah, the former secretary of the BCCI and chairman of the ICC, praised the Indian women’s cricket team for their historic victory in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, claiming that it was the product of extraordinary skill, tenacity, and innovative changes made to Indian cricket.
Taking to X, Shah wrote, “The @BCCIWomen’s march towards its first @cricketworldcup has been nothing short of spectacular. While the grit, resolve, and skills of the Indian team have inspired the whole nation, we must acknowledge the role of key policy decisions taken by the @BCCI — increased investment, pay parity with male cricketers, overhaul of the coaching staff, and big-match temperament nurtured under the @wplt20 spotlight. Congratulations to Harmanpreet Kaur and the entire Indian squad for this historic achievement!”
Arun Dhumal, the chairman of the Indian Premier League, declared that India’s first Women’s World Cup victory marks a “red-letter day” for women’s cricket domestically. He likened the historic victory to the 1983 World Cup victory of the Indian men’s team, which encouraged others to take up the sport.
“It’s a red-letter day for Indian women’s cricket. What the men’s team achieved in 1983, the Indian women have recreated today in Mumbai. This historic triumph will give a tremendous boost to women’s cricket in the country, and I’m confident our game will now reach new heights,” Dhumal told.
Sachin Tendulkar, a legendary cricketer, congratulated the Indian women’s cricket team on their decisive victory in the World Cup.
Tendulkar took to X to express his gratitude for the squad in particular, writing, “1983 inspired an entire generation to dream big and chase those dreams. Today, our Women’s Cricket Team has done something truly special. They have inspired countless young girls across the country to pick up a bat and ball, take the field and believe that they too can lift that trophy one day. This is a defining moment in the journey of Indian women’s cricket. Well done, Team India. You’ve made the whole nation proud.”
Virat Kohli, the former captain of India, praised the Indian women’s cricket team profusely and said, “Inspiration for generations to come, you’ve made every Indian proud with your fearless cricket and belief throughout. You guys deserve all the accolades and enjoy the moment to the fullest. Well done Harman and the team. Jai Hind.”
Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the Indian men’s squad, and Suryakumar Yadav, the team’s T20I captain, posted their warmest regards on X.
“You have not just created history, you’ve created a legacy that will inspire generations of girls! #LegendsForever,” wrote Gambhir.
“What a historic moment for Indian cricket. Our Women in Blue have shown the world what passion, perseverance and belief can achieve. Congratulations,” wrote Suryakumar.
As BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia praised the triumph as a “monumental achievement that will take Indian women’s cricket to a new level” and reportedly announced a reward of ₹51 Crore for the players and support staff, celebrations broke out across.
With this victory, India became just the third nation to win both the men’s and women’s ODI World Cups, behind Australia and England. Additionally, India became one of the select few countries to win the Women’s World Cup—a event that will be remembered for centuries to come.
Brief Scores:
India 298/7 in 50 overs (Shafali Verma 87, Deepti Sharma 54, Richa Ghosh 34; Ayabonga Khaka 3-58) beat
South Africa 246/10 in 45.3 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 101, Annerie Dercksen 35; Deepti Sharma 5-39, Shafali Verma 2-36) by 52 runs.