On a historic night at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, the Indian women’s cricket team scripted one of the most iconic moments in the nation’s sporting history — defeating South Africa by 52 runs to lift their first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 title on November 2, 2025.
This wasn’t just a win; it was the culmination of years of hard work, belief, and passion that finally turned into gold.
A Thrilling Final Under the Mumbai Lights
Batting first, India put on a commanding show, posting 298/7 in 50 overs. (Cricbuzz)
Shafali Verma was at her explosive best, scoring 87 runs off 64 balls with seven boundaries and two sixes. Her fearless start laid the perfect foundation.
At the other end, Smriti Mandhana anchored the innings with a solid 45, building a 104-run opening partnership that energized the crowd. Deepti Sharma, showing class and composure, added a crucial 58 runs in the middle order — guiding India to a total that looked formidable from the outset.
South Africa began their chase with determination, led by Laura Wolvaardt, who struck a magnificent 101. But as pressure mounted, India’s bowlers roared back. Deepti Sharma’s all-round brilliance shone once again — she dismantled South Africa’s middle order with figures of 5 for 39, while Shafali Verma chipped in with 2 for 21.
By the 46th over, South Africa were bowled out for 246, sealing India’s triumph by 52 runs — and with it, the title of World Champions.
Journey to Glory: India’s Road Through the Tournament
India’s 2025 World Cup campaign was a story of grit and consistency.
They dominated the group stages, defeating England, New Zealand, and Pakistan convincingly. But it was their semi-final victory over Australia that became the turning point — a nerve-wracking thriller that showcased India’s fighting spirit.
Jemimah Rodrigues’ unbeaten 127 in that semi-final chase was hailed as one of the greatest innings in Women’s World Cup history. It set the stage for the dream finale — and India didn’t disappoint.
Tournament Statistics and Key Highlights
Tournament Awards
| Award | Winner | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Player of the Match (Final) | Shafali Verma | 87 runs + 2 wickets |
| Player of the Tournament | Deepti Sharma | 22 wickets + 312 runs |
| Best Fielder | Jemimah Rodrigues | Outstanding consistency in field & semifinal heroics |
Top Run-Scorers
| Player | Country | Matches | Runs | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Wolvaardt | South Africa | 9 | 571 | 63.4 |
| Smriti Mandhana | India | 9 | 434 | 54.2 |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | India | 8 | 398 | 49.7 |
| Beth Mooney | Australia | 7 | 375 | 53.5 |
Top Wicket-Takers
| Player | Country | Wickets | Average | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deepti Sharma | India | 22 | 14.9 | 5/39 (Final) |
| Marizanne Kapp | South Africa | 18 | 17.3 | 4/28 |
| Renuka Singh | India | 16 | 19.1 | 4/34 |
| Sophie Ecclestone | England | 15 | 20.0 | 4/40 |
Record-Breaking Moments
- India became the first Asian team to win both Men’s and Women’s ODI World Cups.
- Deepti Sharma became the first Indian woman to take a five-wicket haul in a World Cup final.
- Shafali Verma’s strike rate of 135.93 was the highest of any batter in the tournament.
- Jemimah Rodrigues’ semifinal hundred was India’s highest successful run chase in Women’s ODI history.
- Prize money: USD 4.48 million (≈ ₹ 39.8 crore) — the largest ever in women’s cricket.
Celebrations and Reactions
As the final wicket fell, tears of joy rolled down faces — both on the field and across the nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team, calling the win “a symbol of exceptional teamwork, determination, and grace.”
Social media exploded with love. Hashtags like #QueensOfCricket, #ChakDeIndia, and #WorldChampions dominated trends all night. Streets across Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai lit up with fireworks as fans celebrated this monumental win.
Beyond Cricket: A Cultural Shift
This victory goes beyond the boundary ropes. It’s about empowerment, representation, and inspiration.
For decades, women cricketers in India fought for visibility — now they’ve earned immortality. Young girls from every corner of the country can now dream of donning the blue jersey, knowing that the world is watching, cheering, and believing.
The 2025 triumph isn’t just a sporting achievement — it’s a statement.
A statement that Indian women’s cricket has arrived, and it’s here to stay.
The New Era Begins
As captain Harmanpreet Kaur held the trophy high under the Mumbai sky, the message was clear:
This is not the end of a journey; it’s the beginning of a legacy.
With stars like Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Smriti Mandhana leading the charge, India is poised to dominate the global stage for years to come.
2025 will forever be remembered as the year Indian women turned dreams into history — and history into destiny.
