India women lift Women's World Cup for the first time

Mumbai: India women clinched their first-ever World Cup crown in front of packed crowd at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai after they defeated South Africa in the final by 52 runs on Sunday.

Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma starred with both bat and ball to help India secure a tense win after South Africa had won the toss and elected to bowl.

Chasing 299, South Africa looked in contention at one stage but Deepti Sharma’s breakthrough sparked a dramatic collapse. After she dismissed Annerie Dercksen, the Proteas crumbled from 209/5 to 246 all out. Despite Nadine de Klerk's late fight, South Africa couldn't recover from the collapse.

Captain Laura Wolvaardt (101) led from the front with a magnificent century but lacked support as wickets fell regularly at the other end. Deepti was the standout performer with the ball, finishing with 5/39 while Shafali Verma and Sree Charani chipped in with key wickets to seal a historic win for India.

Deepti Sharma had turned the tide for India with a brilliant spell that yielded three crucial wickets, including that of South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt, who had kept her side in the hunt with a superb century.

But Deepti’s double strike in a single over that included Wolvaardt and Chloe Tryon came at a decisive stage, just as the required run rate began to climb, leaving South Africa under mounting pressure.

Earlier, Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen had offered resistance with a fifty-run stand, steering the Proteas past the 200-run mark after a collapse had left them reeling at 148/5. Deepti had earlier triggered that slide by dismissing Sinalo Jafta, following up on Shafali Verma’s impactful spell where she claimed two wickets in as many overs.

THE TOURNAMENT HIGHPOINT: Deepti Sharma was named Player of the Tournament for 22 wickets and 215 runs. 

Shafali had shifted the momentum India’s way by striking twice in quick succession, first removing Sune Luus in her opening over then claiming the prized wicket of Marizanne Kapp. That double blow tightened India’s grip on the contest before Jafta’s dismissal deepened South Africa’s troubles.

India’s first breakthrough came through sharp fielding when Tazmin Brits was run out by a direct hit from Amanjot Kaur at the non-striker’s end. Brits and Wolvaardt had given South Africa a solid foundation with a fifty-run opening stand in the powerplay, putting the pressure on India’s bowlers early in the chase.

Sree Charani then struck in her first over to trap Anneke Bosch LBW. Despite the quick wickets, Wolvaardt continued to anchor the innings, bringing up her 39th ODI fifty and guiding South Africa past 100 alongside Sune Luus.

In the first innings, India put up 298/7 against South Africa, posting the second-highest score in a Women's ODI World Cup final. After a commanding 100-run opening stand, India were well placed at 223/3 but South Africa fought back to keep them below the 300 mark.

Having lost the toss, India got India off to a brisk start with Shafali Verma and Smirit Mandhana putting up a 100-run partnership for the first wicket.

Shafali Verma (87) led the way with a fine knock while Deepti Sharma (58) steadied the innings towards the end. Richa Ghosh (34) added a lively cameo that gave India late momentum.

For South Africa, Ayabonga Khaka (3/58) was the standout performer with the ball while Nonkululeko Mlaba, Nadine de Klerk and Chloe Tryon picked up a wicket each.

The win puts skipper Harmanpreet Kaur in the pantheon of legends.

(With ICC inputs)

Tags : India women, World Cup, Deepti Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Shafali Verma