India Women Clinch Maiden World Cup With 52-Run Final Win
India Women Clinch Maiden World Cup With 52-Run Final Win
India's women seal their maiden ICC Women's World Cup title with a 52-run victory over South Africa at Navi Mumbai, powered by Shafali Verma's 87 and Deepti Sharma's five-wicket haul.
India's women sealed their maiden ICC Women's World Cup title with a 52-run win over South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. A power-packed innings from Shafali Verma, who struck 87 off 78, set the tone, while Deepti Sharma delivered a breathtaking five-wicket spell to shatter South Africa's chase.
South Africa were bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs while chasing 299, after Laura Wolvaardt looked the part with a measured hundred. Deepti's five-for and disciplined bowling sealed the victory as Harmanpreet Kaur's side celebrated with the dugout and stands erupting in cheers.
Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain, embraced Shafali Verma in a defining moment of celebration, with teammates wrapped in the national flag. Shafali also contributed with the ball, taking two wickets as India's bowling unit clicked at the right time.
Off the field, the win brings a record prize money for Indian cricket. The ICC prize pool for the tournament stood at USD 13.88 million, with the champions earning USD 4.48 million (about Rs 39.78 crore). Discussions in the BCCI suggest matching the men's prize money as a statement on equal pay for women’s cricket.
Leaders across the country joined in congratulating the team. Prime Minister Modi called the win spectacular, while other officials and the foreign minister, Jaishankar, lauded the champions as 'World Champions' and praised the team's teamwork and tenacity.
Tonight's triumph is already being hailed as a watershed moment for women’s cricket in India, a moment fans hope will inspire more girls to pick up a bat and chase their dreams on the world stage.
Cover image source: Indian women create history, win ODI World Cup after beating South Africa by 52 runs 🔗
