India lifted the Women’s World Cup for the first time with a thrilling 52-run victory over South Africa in Navi Mumbai, powered by Deepti Sharma’s all-round brilliance and Shafali Verma’s match-defining performance. Deepti took 5 for 39 and scored 58, while Shafali smashed 87 off 78 balls before chipping in with two crucial wickets.
South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt fought valiantly, following her semi-final hundred with another sublime 101, but her dismissal off Deepti ended the chase at 246. Despite a strong start and resistance from Annerie Dercksen and Nadine de Klerk, the visitors fell short of India’s imposing 298 for 7.
India’s top order, powered by Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana’s fluent 104-run opening stand, laid the foundation for a commanding performance. As Deepti Sharma weaved her magic under the floodlights and Shafali struck gold with the ball, India turned dominance into destiny — lifting their long-awaited World Cup crown.
And when Harmanpreet Kaur finally hoisted the trophy to the deafening roar of a home crowd, it wasn’t just a victory — it was a revolution. A moment that redefined women’s cricket in India, igniting dreams, inspiring generations, and proving that history shines brightest in blue.
