India's long wait for a maiden Women's World Cup title ended on November 2, 2025, when Harmanpreet Kaur and her teammates beat South Africa by 52 runs in the final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The victory remains a landmark moment for Indian women's cricket and women's sport in India.
The win, in front of a packed stadium, brought an end to a campaign that had nearly slipped away after India suffered three consecutive defeats in the league stage, including one against South Africa.
There were several reasons why this World Cup meant so much to India. They were playing at home, had emerged as one of the formidable teams in women's cricket and had pushed Australia, the dominant force in the game, harder than anyone else. India had also beaten Australia in the semi-final to book their place in the title clash. After years of coming close, the team finally had a chance to win the trophy.
India's triumph was set up by two players who delivered when it mattered most. Shafali Verma, who was not part of the original squad and came in as a replacement ahead of semi-final after Pratika Rawal was ruled out with an ankle injury, scored 87 off 78 balls in the final. Her innings helped India post 298 for 7. She also took two wickets at a crucial stage of South Africa's chase.
Deepti Sharma played an equally important role. The off-spinner, who had also improved her batting, scored a half-century at a run-a-ball before taking five wickets. She combined her ability to generate turn with the control needed to restrict South Africa. India eventually won by 52 runs, though the margin did not reflect how closely contested the final was.
Both teams had experienced heartbreak in the past, but only one could lift the trophy. South Africa were left disappointed, particularly their captain Laura Wolvaardt, who finished as the tournament's highest run-scorer. After scoring a century in the semi-final, she produced another fine innings in the final. As long as she was at the crease, South Africa remained in contention, given the depth in their batting line-up. Her innings ended when she was dismissed for 101 off 98 balls, miscuing a shot off Deepti into the night sky.
Nadine de Klerk, who had helped South Africa beat India in the league stage, kept the chase alive with her hitting. But with 78 runs still needed and only the last two batters left to support her, the task proved too difficult.
South Africa had won the toss, which appeared to be an advantage given the dew usually present during evening matches in Navi Mumbai. However, the expected dew did not arrive. Rain had delayed the start by two hours, bringing temperatures down before nightfall and reducing the impact of the conditions on the teams.
That left both sides playing on similar terms. India had more batters in form who could rotate the strike against spin without taking unnecessary risks, while their spinners posed a greater threat. As long as the conditions remained free of dew, Deepti and Shree Charani had the advantage on a pitch where the ball tended to stop and turn. Chasing 299 was always going to be difficult for South Africa.
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India's total was the second-highest in the history of Women's World Cup finals. Yet, considering what had happened in the semi-final at the same venue, when India defeated Australia while chasing 339, and the depth in South Africa's batting, 298 did not appear to be an insurmountable target.
The scale of India's achievement became clearer as they began defending the total. With 11 overs remaining, South Africa needed 92 runs with five wickets in hand. Wolvaardt was keeping them in the contest, but her dismissal changed the course of the match. Amanjot Kaur took a brilliant catch in the deep to send the South African captain back, allowing India to take control.
South Africa were eventually bowled out for 246 in the 46th over.
The final went deep into the night, but when Harmanpreet took the catch at extra cover to dismiss Nadine de Klerk and seal the 52-run victory, the DY Patil Stadium erupted.
Pratika Rawal, who was celebrating with the team in a wheelchair after her injury, had a smile. After years of waiting, India had finally won the Women's World Cup.
