India Clinches Maiden Women’s World Cup; Players and Support Staff Lead Historic 52-Run Triumph

New Delhi, Nov 2025 : In a landmark achievement that will be remembered for generations, the Indian women’s cricket team lifted their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title after defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday night. The historic triumph triggered celebrations across the country, marking a turning point in the journey of Indian women’s cricket.

The euphoric victory was followed by a major announcement, with BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia reportedly declaring a ₹51 crore reward for the players and support staff. Calling the achievement “monumental,” Saikia said the World Cup win would “take Indian women’s cricket to a new level” and inspire countless young athletes across the country.

Echoing similar sentiments, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal described the moment as a “red-letter day” for Indian cricket, drawing comparisons with India’s iconic 1983 men’s World Cup victory. “What the men’s team achieved in 1983, the Indian women have recreated today in Mumbai. This historic triumph will give an enormous boost to women’s cricket, and I’m confident the sport will now reach new heights,” Dhumal mentioned.

India’s dominance began with a powerful batting display after being asked to bat first. The opening duo of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma laid a rock-solid foundation with a 100-run stand. Mandhana scored a fluent 45, while Shafali led the charge with a superb 87, blending aggression with maturity. Deepti Sharma added further stability with a well-crafted 58, and handy contributions from Richa Ghosh (34) ensured India reached a strong total of 298/7. Though South Africa pulled things back towards the end, India’s score remained a formidable challenge in a high-pressure final.

Chasing 299, South Africa began brightly with openers Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt stitching together a brisk 50-run partnership. But the match turned when Amanjot Kaur’s sharp direct hit ran out Brits, triggering a shift in momentum. Young pacer Sree Charani made an immediate impact by trapping Anneke Bosch LBW in her opening over.

Shafali Verma, already the star with the bat, then delivered a crucial spell by removing Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp in quick succession. With the pressure mounting, India tightened their grip on the game. Deepti Sharma produced a match-winning performance, dismantling South Africa’s middle and lower order with figures of 5 for 39 — her best in World Cups.

Despite a valiant century from Laura Wolvaardt, who scored a fighting 101, the Proteas faltered under relentless pressure from the Indian bowlers. They were eventually bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs, sealing India’s historic win by 52 runs.

As the players embraced amid thunderous applause, the moment symbolised far more than a World Cup victory — it signaled the dawn of a new era for Indian women’s cricket, one filled with belief, ambition, and boundless possibilities.

Brief Scores:
India 298/7 in 50 overs (Shafali Verma 87, Deepti Sharma 58, Richa Ghosh 34; Ayabonga Khaka 3-58)
South Africa 246 all out in 45.3 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 101, Annerie Dercksen 35; Deepti Sharma 5-39, Shafali Verma 2-36)
India won by 52 runs.