Snehasis Mukherjee in Navi Mumbai
India created history as they defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. After scoring an unbeaten fifty with the bat, Deepti Sharma starred with the ball, taking five wickets to guide India to their maiden World Cup title in front of a jam-packed home crowd.
Chasing a target of 299, South Africa began well. Openers Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt added 51 runs for the first wicket. Against the run of play, Amanjot Kaur produced a stunning direct hit to dismiss Brits for 23. The Proteas then sent the out-of-form Anneke Bosch at No. 3, but she failed again, falling for a six-ball duck.
Sune Luus joined her skipper Wolvaardt, and the pair started to rebuild the innings. They added 52 runs before a surprise bowling change turned the game. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur handed the ball to Shafali Verma, and the move worked instantly. Shafali dismissed Luus and then removed Marizanne Kapp soon after, turning the pressure back on South Africa.
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Deepti then took charge. She first removed Sinalo Jafta for 16 as South Africa slipped to 148/5. Wolvaardt, however, kept the fight alive. After reaching her fifty, she continued to anchor the innings and brought up a well-deserved century. Annerie Dercksen supported her well, adding 61 runs for the sixth wicket before Deepti produced a brilliant yorker to bowl her for 35.
Just when Wolvaardt looked set to take the game deep, Deepti struck again. Amanjot Kaur took a juggling but crucial catch to dismiss the South African captain for 101. In the same over, Deepti dismissed Chloe Tryon to leave South Africa reeling at 221/8. With that, the result was almost sealed. Nadine de Klerk tried to resist but managed only 18 runs as the Proteas were bowled out for 252 in 46.3 overs.
Earlier, India posted 298/7 in their 50 overs — built on Shafali Verma’s fluent 87 off 78 balls, Deepti’s unbeaten 58, and Richa Ghosh’s quickfire 34. Smriti Mandhana also contributed 45 runs, adding 104 for the first wicket with Shafali. For South Africa, Ayabonga Khaka picked up three wickets, while Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tryon, and de Klerk claimed one each.
Also Read: Shafali’s 87 and Deepti’s unbeaten fifty power India to 298 in the final