Shafali Verma’s heroics, Harmanpreet’s catch and Deepti’s five for: A night that changed Indian women’s cricket forever with ODI World Cup victory

Indian players celebrate winning the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup ODI cricket match between India Women and South Africa Women at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. (PTI Photo) India’s long wait for a maiden Women’s World Cup title ended on 2 November 2025 when Harmanpreet Kaur and her teammates defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The win remains a landmark for Indian women’s cricket and women’s sports in India.The win in front of a packed stadium ended a campaign that had all but disappeared after India suffered three consecutive defeats in the league stage, including one against South Africa.There were several reasons why this World Cup meant so much to India. Playing at home, they proved to be one of the formidable teams in women’s cricket and pushed Australia, the dominant force in the game, harder than anyone else. India also defeated Australia in the semi-finals to secure a place in the title race. After years of coming close, the team finally had a chance to win the trophy.India’s triumph was ensured by two players who played when it mattered most. Shafali Verma, who was not part of the original squad and came on as a substitute before the semi-final after Pratik Rawal was ruled out with an ankle injury, scored 87 off 78 balls in the final. Her innings helped India post 298 for 7. She also took two wickets at a crucial stage in the chase in South Africa.An equally important role was played by Deepti Sharma. The spinner, who has also improved in batting, scored a run-a-ball half-century before taking five wickets. She combined her ability to generate turnover with the control needed to restrict South Africa. India eventually won by 52 runs, although the margin did not reflect how closely contested the final was.Both teams have experienced heartbreak in the past, but only one could lift the trophy. South Africa were left disappointed, especially their captain Laura Wolvaardt, who finished as the tournament’s top scorer. After scoring a century in the semi-final, she produced another fine innings in the final. As long as they were at the crease, South Africa remained in contention, given the depth of their batting line-up. Her innings ended when she was dismissed for 101 off 98 balls, miscuing Deepti’s shot into the night sky.Nadine de Klerk, who helped South Africa beat India in the league stage, kept the chase alive with her knocks. But with 78 more runs needed and only the last two batsmen left to support her, the task proved too difficult.South Africa won the toss which seemed to be an advantage given the dew usually present during evening matches in Navi Mumbai. However, the expected dew did not appear. Rain delayed the start by two hours, dropping temperatures before dark and lessening the impact of the conditions on the teams.Both sides thus played under equal conditions. India had more in-form batsmen who could spin the strike against spin without taking unnecessary risks, while their spinners posed more of a threat. As long as the conditions were dew-free, Deepti and Shree Charani had an advantage on a pitch where the ball tended to stop and turn. Chasing 299 was always going to be difficult for South Africa.READ ALSO: The coaches who made the Jemimahs and Kaurs victorious – the architects of India’s World CupIndia’s total was the second highest in the history of a Women’s World Cup final. Still, considering what happened in the semi-final at the same venue, when India beat Australia chasing 339, and the depth of South Africa’s batting, 298 did not seem like an insurmountable target.The extent of India’s success became clearer as they began to defend the total. With 11 overs remaining, South Africa needed 92 runs with five wickets in hand. Wolvaardt kept them in the match, but her elimination changed the course of the match. Amanjot Kaur took a brilliant catch in the deep to send the South African skipper back, allowing India to take control.South Africa were eventually bowled out for 246 in the 46th over.The final went deep into the night, but when Harmanpreet took a catch at extra cover to dismiss Nadine de Klerk to seal a 52-run victory, the DY Patil Stadium erupted.Pratika Rawal, who celebrated with the team in a wheelchair after injury, was all smiles. After years of waiting, India finally won the Women’s World Cup.