Indian Women's Cricket Makes History: Harmanpreet Kaur Leads Team to First World Cup Victory

Historic Triumph for Indian Women's Cricket

Navi Mumbai: In a remarkable display of skill and determination, the Indian women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, secured their first ICC Women's World Cup title by defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final held in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.

This victory marks a significant milestone for Indian women's cricket, culminating years of hard work and near misses, as they finally reached the pinnacle of success.

With this win, India becomes the fourth nation to claim the prestigious trophy, joining the ranks of Australia (7 titles), England (4), and New Zealand (1).

The triumph also serves as a redemption for the team, overcoming the disappointments of the finals in 2005 and 2017, and delivering a long-awaited World title that signifies a transformative moment for the sport in India.

India set a formidable target of 298 runs, the second-highest total in World Cup history, and successfully bowled out South Africa for 246 runs in just 45.3 overs.

South Africa's innings was anchored by captain Laura Wolvaardt, who scored a commendable 101 runs off 98 balls. However, the standout performances from Deepti Sharma (55 runs and 5 wickets for 39 runs) and Shafali Verma (87 runs and 2 wickets for 36 runs) ensured that India’s historic moment was secured.

Key Players Shine in the Final

The victory was notably influenced by two players with contrasting backgrounds.

Deepti Sharma emerged as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 21 wickets, showcasing her skill and composure on the grand stage.

In contrast, Shafali Verma, who was brought into the squad as a replacement for an injured player, made a stunning return to international cricket with a bold innings of 87 runs off 84 balls, along with taking two crucial wickets.

Her inclusion proved pivotal as she and Smriti Mandhana (who scored 45 runs) established a solid opening partnership of 104 runs, putting South Africa's bowlers under pressure after a rain delay.

Mandhana's performance capped off a record-breaking tournament for her, accumulating 434 runs at an average of 54.25, the highest by any Indian player in Women's World Cup history, including a century and two fifties.

Despite Jemimah Rodrigues' promising start, she was dismissed in the 30th over, leaving India reliant on captain Harmanpreet for a crucial innings.

South Africa's Response and India's Resilience

South Africa began their chase aggressively, with Tazmin Brits (23 runs) and Wolvaardt contributing to a 51-run opening partnership.

However, a direct hit from Amanjot Kaur shifted momentum in India's favor, leading to a series of wickets that tightened India's grip on the match.

Shree Charani's precise bowling led to the dismissal of Anneke Bosch, and Shafali's double strike further destabilized the South African middle order.

When Wolvaardt looked poised to take control, Deepti struck twice in quick succession, dismissing both the captain and Chloe Tryon (9 runs), effectively dismantling the chase. She fittingly sealed the victory by claiming her fifth wicket, igniting celebrations across the nation.

A Victory for Future Generations

The night was filled with significance, as Harmanpreet lifted the trophy that had eluded legends like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, who have been instrumental in shaping women's cricket in India.

For the younger players, including Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh, this victory heralds a new era where Indian women's cricket stands proudly alongside the world's best.

As fireworks illuminated the Navi Mumbai sky, the joy on Harmanpreet's face encapsulated the moment — the long wait was finally over.

Just as June 25, 1983, marked a turning point for Indian men's cricket, November 2, 2025, will be remembered as a landmark day for the women's game.

Rohit Sharma, who experienced his own heartbreak in a previous final, watched from the stands, hoping for a different outcome for Harmanpreet.

Having faced the pain of losing a final in the past, Harmanpreet's leadership ensured that her team did not falter this time.

As she caught Nadine de Klerk's offering at extra cover, commentator Ian Bishop aptly described the moment as one that would 'inspire generations'.

For head coach Amol Muzumdar, this victory with the women's team is a healing moment, compensating for the disappointments he faced in his own playing career.