 "'A new era of Indian cricket begins': India finally end wait for maiden women's world title after beating South Africa")
It turned out to be a ‘Super Sunday’ for Indian cricket after all as the Harmanpreet Kaur-led senior women’s team fulfilled the nation’s dream of lifting the ICC Women’s World Cup for the first time after defeating South Africa in the final in Navi Mumbai.
The Women in Blue, after all, had endured multiple heart-breaks over the years, finishing runners-up in the ODI World Cup in 2005 and 2017 as well as in the 2020 T20 World Cup in addition to a plethora of semi-final defeats.
Team India, however, finished on the right side of the result for once on Sunday as they posted a challenging 298/7 on the board after getting invited to bat by South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt before bundling the Proteas out for just 246 in reply.
Shafali and Deepti star in India’s historic victory in Navi Mumbai
Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma played a starring role in the triumph with their all-round contributions, and would later be adjudged the Player of the Final and the Player of the Tournament respectively.
Shafali, who was wasn’t even part of the squad for most of the tournament and was included as a last-minute replacement ahead of the knockouts after an injury to Pratika Rawal, top-scored for her side with a 78-ball 87, registering her highest ODI score in the process.
Deepti later chipped in with a run-a-ball 58 while Smriti Mandhana (45) and Richa Ghosh (34 off 24) also made important contributions as the Women in Blue finished just shy of the 300-mark.
Wolvaardt’s brilliant ton goes in vain
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt continued her fine run of form with a second century on the trot. After her brilliant 169 in the semi-final against England, Wolvaardt struck a 98-ball 101, breaking the record for the most runs in a single edition of a Women’s World Cup (571) in the process.
Her knock, however, would ultimately go in vain as the South Africans – who were also yet to win a global title in women’s cricket and had made it to the final of an ODI World Cup for the first time ever – lost wickets in regular intervals and crumbled under pressure towards the end.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAll-rounder Annerie Dercksen was the only other batter to have gone past 30, chipping in with a lively 35, while Sune Luus (25) and Tazmin Brits (23) couldn’t convert their starts.
Shafali and Deepti were once again the standout performers with the ball; while Deepti was the wrecker-in-chief with a haul of 5/22, which helped her finish as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker (22), Shafali struck twice in as many overs after getting introduced into the attack, getting rid of Luus and Marizanne Kapp.
All-rounder Nadine de Klerk, who had starred in the Proteas’ thrilling three-wicket victory over the Women in Blue during their group-stage encounter in Visakhapatnam last month, was the last batter to depart after she chipped a full toss towards Harmanpreet at cover.
The Indian captain, pedalling in the opposite direction, completed a fine catch to seal one of the most historic wins in Indian cricket history.
Here’s how cricketers – both retired legends as well as current stars – reacted to the triumph:
Champions of the World 💙🇮🇳
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) November 2, 2025
I’ve seen this dream for over two decades, to watch the Indian women lift that World Cup trophy.
Tonight, that dream finally came true.
From the heartbreak of 2005 to the fight of 2017, every tear, every sacrifice, every young girl who picked up a… pic.twitter.com/MgClC7QE9J
This was my dream, and you’ve made it come true 💙@TheShafaliVerma‘s 70 and two big wickets, @Deepti_Sharma06’s fifty and a fifer...absolute brilliance from both. The cup’s home 🇮🇳🏆#WomensWorldCup2025 #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/RwCDe8RATl
— Jhulan Goswami (@JhulanG10) November 2, 2025
1983 inspired an entire generation to dream big and chase those dreams. 🏏
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 2, 2025
Today, our Women’s Cricket Team has done something truly special. They have inspired countless young girls across the country to pick up a bat and ball, take the field and believe that they too can lift… pic.twitter.com/YiFeqpRipc
Inspiration for generations to come, you’ve made every Indian proud with your fearless cricket and belief throughout. You guys deserve all the accolades and enjoy the moment to the fullest. Well done Harman and the team. Jai Hind 🇮🇳🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/f9J34QIMuP
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) November 2, 2025
Champions!
— Virrender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) November 2, 2025
Har chauke har wicket, apne Jajbe se poore desh ka dil jeet liya! Proud of our World Champion girls 🇮🇳
What a victory. @ImHarmanpreet Kaur aur unki team ne poori generation ko sapna de diya jeetne ka, ladne ka, chamakne ka! 🇮🇳#CWC25 pic.twitter.com/wsDS8tFPTy
A new era of Indian cricket begins, all thanks to the grit, determination and skill of our women in blue 💙
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) November 2, 2025
A team built on unbreakable spirit came together to create a moment the world will never forget. They put their bodies on the line for this dream and made sure they saw it… pic.twitter.com/7nqkfPTo0W
World Champions 🙏🏼 Heartiest congratulations to Team India on winning the World Cup. 🇮🇳 A truly inspirational performance that has not only brought immense pride to the nation but also inspired a generation to dream big. This is a win that will echo through generations.… pic.twitter.com/gBK8BZdBTB
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 2, 2025
Congratulations World Champions! Deepti and Shafali were phenomenal today, someone always stood up when team needed it through the campaign. Lots of credit to skipper @ImHarmanpreet @amolmuzumdar11 and the entire support staff for all the hard work behind the scenes. It showed on… pic.twitter.com/Ej9VG6M7cu
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) November 2, 2025
We r the champions 🇮🇳 🏆 well done Twam India . We are so proud of you . Bharat Mahan tha and Rahega hamesha . Jai Hind #worldcup pic.twitter.com/G12jWA7sOT
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) November 2, 2025
Congratulations Team India. Hold your heads high, @ProteasWomenCSA. The global women’s game is booming… what a final, what a tournament! #CWC25
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) November 2, 2025
Congratulations team India 🇮🇳
— DK (@DineshKarthik) November 2, 2025
This day will inspire generations to come. The girls did us proud. And I’m so happy to have been there, witnessing history!
💙💙💙
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