India women secured their first ICC Women’s World Cup title by defeating South Africa in the final at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.
The hosts posted 298 for seven in their 50 overs and restricted South Africa to 246 in 45.3 overs, sealing a 52-run victory.
India Innings
Opener Shafali Verma led India’s charge with 87 runs from 78 balls, supported by Smriti Mandhana’s 45. Deepti Sharma contributed a composed 58 before being run out. Richa Ghosh scored a brisk 34, while Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur and Amanjot Kaur provided valuable support. Radha Yadav remained unbeaten on three as India reached 298 for seven. Extras contributed 15 runs.
The Indian innings featured partnerships that steadily built the total. The first wicket fell at 104 (Mandhana, 17.4 overs), followed by Verma at 166 (27.5 overs). Subsequent dismissals included Rodrigues (171), Kaur (223), Amanjot Kaur (245), Ghosh (292) and Sharma (298).
South Africa Innings
Chasing 299, South Africa were unable to maintain momentum. Captain Laura Wolvaardt top-scored with 101 from 98 balls but received little support. Sune Luus scored 25, Annerie Dercksen 35, and Nadine de Klerk 18. Other batters struggled, and the side was bowled out for 246. Extras added 14 runs, including 12 wides and two no-balls.
Deepti Sharma starred with the ball, taking five wickets for 39 runs from 9.3 overs. Shafali Verma and Shree Charani claimed two and one wickets respectively, while Renuka Singh and Radha Yadav contributed economical spells.
Match Progression
India began cautiously on a wet outfield but accelerated in the powerplay, reaching 50 in 6.3 overs. By 16 overs, the openers had combined for 92 runs without loss. Shafali Verma reached her half-century off 49 balls, while Deepti Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur consolidated the innings in the middle overs. India reached 250 in 43.3 overs before finishing on 298 for seven.
South Africa’s innings faltered early with Tazmin Brits run out for 23 and Anneke Bosch dismissed for a duck. Despite Wolvaardt’s century, wickets fell regularly, preventing a successful chase.
