The roar that followed was more than just for a win; it was the sound of a nation celebrating its heroes, of years of perseverance finally paying off. India, twice runners-up in the past, had climbed the summit at last. (Image: X/ @Vikrant_1589)
At a sold-out DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, the Indian women’s cricket team created history, defeating a determined South African side by 52 runs to clinch their maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup crown on Sunday, November 2, 2025. In front of a roaring crowd at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, India defeated a fighting South Africa by 64 runs, turning past pain into a victory that will be remembered for generations.
India's daring openers drew the winning blueprint in strong strokes. Shafali Verma's aggressiveness and Smriti Mandhana's skillful opening set the stage for India's supremacy. The pair put together a commanding 104-run partnership that silenced South Africa’s bowlers. Mandhana was dismissed for a smooth 45, but Verma went on a rampage, scoring 87 from 78 balls — her career-best in ODIs — guiding India to 298/7. The fiery start left South Africa with a mountain to climb.
Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits gave South Africa a calm and steady start, laying down a solid platform for the chase. But just as the partnership crossed fifty, Amanjot Kaur produced a flash of brilliance — a direct hit from inside the circle that found Brits short. The wicket broke the stand and gave India the momentum they had been waiting for.
After the early dismissal, all eyes turned to South Africa’s captain. Laura Wolvaardt led from the front with a brilliant 101, a composed and courageous innings crafted under heavy pressure. During her innings, she broke the record for the most runs in any single edition of the tournament. Alongside Sune Luus, she steadied the innings, and for a long period, her presence made the improbable chase seem possible, testing the nerves of the entire nation.
The match reached its nail-biting climax as the centurion Wolvaardt looked to accelerate. The game's defining moment was delivered by Deepti Sharma. Introduced at a vital moment, the crafty off-spinner trapped Wolvaardt soon after her century. Deepti then delivered a second strike in the same over, claiming another important wicket and dismantling South Africa’s main resistance. The over completely shifted the match’s course, putting India in full control.
This year’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final brought an unprecedented reward — Rs 37.3 crore for the champions and Rs 18.6 crore for the runners-up. The record sum, introduced under a new pay parity policy, marks a powerful stride toward gender equality and outshines all previous tournament payouts.
