Navi Mumbai

The Indian women’s cricket team etched its name in history on Thursday, lifting the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup for the first time after defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. The victory, reminiscent of India’s iconic 1983 men’s World Cup triumph, is being hailed as a defining moment that will transform the landscape of women’s cricket in the country.

India’s journey to the title was marked by resilience, consistency, and moments of brilliance from its emerging stars. Having fallen agonisingly short in 2005 against Australia and again in 2017 against England, this win was redemption in its purest form. For a generation of players who had carried the burden of near misses, the 2025 World Cup triumph brought long-awaited validation and joy.

On a sun-soaked afternoon in Navi Mumbai, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team took the field with determination etched on every face. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India posted a formidable total of 298 for 7 in their 50 overs. Smriti Mandhana led the charge with a sublime 91 off 104 balls, while Jemimah Rodrigues dazzled with a fluent 67. Richa Ghosh’s late fireworks — a quickfire 42 off 24 balls — ensured India crossed the psychologically important 290-run mark.

The South African bowlers, led by Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka, tried to keep the scoring in check, but India’s batting depth proved decisive. The crowd, draped in blue and waving tricolours, roared with every boundary — their energy matching the magnitude of the moment.

Chasing 299 for victory, South Africa began confidently. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt, the backbone of their batting lineup, looked in ominous form, striking elegant boundaries through the off side. She reached a fluent fifty, but India’s bowlers struck at crucial moments to turn the tide.

Deepti Sharma was the star with the ball, spinning a web around the Proteas batters with her guile and precision. She finished with figures of 4 for 38, breaking key partnerships and derailing South Africa’s chase. Pooja Vastrakar’s pace and Radha Yadav’s control added pressure as South Africa crumbled from 162 for 3 to 246 all out.

When the final wicket fell, the stadium erupted. Players rushed to embrace each other, tears of joy flowing freely. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, visibly emotional, raised her hands in triumph — a gesture symbolising years of hard work, heartbreak, and unwavering belief.

The 52-run victory was more than a sporting achievement; it was a watershed moment for Indian women’s cricket. As fireworks lit up the Navi Mumbai sky, fans across the nation celebrated the team that had finally fulfilled a long-cherished dream.

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Just as Kapil Dev’s men had changed the face of Indian cricket in 1983, Harmanpreet’s women are poised to inspire millions of young girls to pick up the bat and ball. From the dusty grounds of small towns to the floodlit stadiums of the future, this triumph will echo as the moment that redefined what Indian women could achieve on the global stage.