India beat South Africa by 52 runs to win the Women's ODI World Cup 2025 final
Shafali Verma starred with a fifty and two wickets
Deepti Sharma grabbed five-wicket haul and was named Player of the Tournament
Women's World Cup sees winner other than Australia and England for first time
Indian Women Trump South Africa, History To Be Crowned First-Time World Champions
Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma were the chief protagonists as co-hosts India defeated South Africa by 52 runs to leave the disappointments of 2017 and 2005 behind, and lift a maiden ICC Women's World Cup trophy in Navi Mumbai
Summary
Contenders no more. Also-rans no more. India grabbed history by the scruff of its neck and became masters of their own destiny to lift a first-ever Women's World Cup title on a historic Sunday night in Navi Mumbai.
It got nervy towards the end. A few catches were dropped and misfields started becoming commonplace as the Women In Blue perhaps realized the enormity of the impending achievement.
But they held on, eventually. The co-hosts defeated South Africa by a resounding 52-run margin to end a wait spanning more than four decades for the biggest trophy in women's cricket.
It was a collective effort, if there ever was one, with a number of characters making their mark at various stages. But in the summit clash, Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma were the chief protagonists.
Shafali, the 21-year-old, who till a week before was not even in the reserves, scripted memories of a lifetime by scoring 87 in India's 298 for 7 and then grabbed a couple of crucial wickets. The seasoned Deepti (5/39) finished the demolition job to restrict the Proteas to 246 in in front of a packed DY Patil Stadium.
She was later named Player of the Tournament for her unmatched 22 wickets and 215 invaluable runs. Young Shree Charani (1/48) also did her bit under extreme pressure to usher in the most memorable day for women's cricket in the country.
Both teams entered the final with something unique on the line. India, playing at home, chasing a trophy they had never lifted: this was their third final, the previous two in 2017 and 2005 ending in heartbreaks.
South Africa, on the other hand, reached their first ever 50-over World Cup final. The match saw the Women In Blue claim the title and change their narrative forever.
India’s journey was marked by drama and breakthrough. In the semi-final against Australia they pulled off the highest successful chase in women’s ODI history behind a stunning 127* from Jemimah Rodrigues.
South Africa’s progression was less flashy but equally powerful: a dominant semi-final win against England powered by Laura Wolvaardt’s century and Marizanne Kapp’s five-wicket haul.
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India Vs South Africa, Women's ODI World Cup Final : Toss Update
South Africa won the toss and elected to field first.
India Vs South Africa, Women's ODI World Cup Final: Playing XIs
India: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Annerie Dercksen, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba
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