Cricket fans will never forget the explosive performance that unfolded yesterday evening at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai.
It was the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, where India defeated South Africa by 52 runs.
India, batting first, scored 298 runs in 50 overs, losing seven wickets. Shafali Verma played a blistering innings of 87 runs, while Deepti Sharma added 58 runs with the bat.
Richa Ghosh finally turned the match around with 34 runs. South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl, but their bowlers were thoroughly thrashed by India’s batsmen.
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First, India’s batting created a stir
Smriti Mandhana provided a solid start with 45 runs, but Shafali Verma was the real star. She scored 87 runs off 78 balls, including 7 fours and 2 sixes. Jemimah Rodrigues added 24, and Harmanpreet Kaur added 20.
But Deepti Sharma’s 58 and Richa’s explosive 34 off 24 balls took the team close to 300. Fifteen extra runs were added, mostly through wides. Ayabonga Khaka took three wickets for South Africa, but they proved insufficient.
India’s score was a run rate of 5.96, which was enough to put pressure on the visitors.
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Indian bowling strikes back
The excitement of the final reached its peak when South Africa began the chase. Laura Wolvaardt played a captain’s innings, scoring 101 runs off 98 balls, including 11 fours and a six.
But the remaining batsmen collapsed. Tajmin Brits was run out on 23, and Sune Luus was caught by Shafali on 25. Deepti Sharma was brilliant, taking 5 wickets for 39 runs in 9.3 overs.
Anne Derksen was dismissed for 35, Nadine de Klerk for 18. South Africa was bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs. Shafali also took two wickets for India.
Now, consider how significant this victory is for India. Under Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy, the team also made good on runouts and catches. Renuka Thakur conceded just 28 runs in 8 overs, going wicketless.
Shri Charani took a wicket, while Radha Yadav tried to contain the runs. Of South Africa’s 14 extra runs, 12 were wides, highlighting their difficulties.
This final showcased the strengths of Indian women’s cricket. Shafali’s aggression, Deepti’s all-rounder role, and Richa’s finishing touch were all perfect.
South Africa’s Wolvaardt attempted a comeback, but the team’s middle order faltered.
India is now the world champion, and fans are celebrating on the streets of Mumbai.
