We Were Waiting for This Moment’: India Wins Women’s Cricket World Cup for the First Time

The roar of the crowd in Navi Mumbai told the story — after decades of near misses, India’s women’s cricket team have finally won their first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final on home soil.

Led by Deepti Sharma’s all-round brilliance and a dazzling performance from Shafali Verma, India lifted the coveted trophy on Sunday, ending years of heartbreak and etching their names into history.

Verma, who was dramatically recalled to the squad as injury cover just days before the final, smashed a career-best 87 off 78 balls as India posted a formidable 298–7 after being sent in to bat. South Africa’s chase faltered despite captain Laura Wolvaardt’s superb 101, as they were bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs.

Sharma sealed the victory with the final wicket, finishing with sensational bowling figures of 5–39, while also contributing 58 runs earlier in the innings.

“We were waiting for this moment, and now it has finally come,” said an emotional Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s captain. “Now we want to make this a habit.”

Only 21 years old, Shafali Verma was named Player of the Match after adding two wickets (2–36) to her explosive batting.

“God sent me to do something good, and that was reflected today,” Verma said. “My mind was clear — I just wanted to score runs.”

Her fearless start, alongside Smriti Mandhana (45), produced a century opening stand that set the tone for India’s dominant innings, supported by crucial middle-order partnerships involving Jemimah Rodrigues (24) and Harmanpreet Kaur (20).

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Sharma capped a phenomenal tournament, winning the Player of the Tournament award after scoring 215 runs and taking 22 wickets in nine matches.

“I enjoyed myself with both bat and ball,” Sharma said. “We stayed calm, never relaxed, and now I dedicate this trophy to my parents.”

Her performance guided India from a shaky semifinal qualification to a historic triumph — beating seven-time champions Australia and now conquering South Africa, who were contesting their first-ever World Cup final.

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South Africa’s Gallant Effort

Despite the loss, South Africa’s skipper Laura Wolvaardt stood tall with a magnificent century, ending as the tournament’s highest run-scorer with 571 runs at an average of 71.37.

Her dismissal in the 42nd over effectively ended South Africa’s hopes, with Sharma’s spin tearing through the lower order.

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) celebrated the victory online with a simple but powerful message:
“C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S.”

It was India’s first major women’s cricket title — a breakthrough moment for a team that had long lived in the shadows of their male counterparts.

As fireworks lit up the Mumbai skyline, captain Kaur summed up the emotion of a nation:

“We’ve come close before. This time, we finished the job.”