The emotions are still running high, two days after the final whistle blew. This is the victory we dreamt of, the one we waited for across decades of passion and near-misses. On Sunday, November 2nd, 2025, the Indian Women’s Cricket team didn’t just win a trophy; they sealed a destiny, defeating South Africa by 52 runs to lift our maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title!
The air that day was heavy with the pressure of history, the shadow of the 2005 and 2017 final heartbreaks looming large. But the belief radiating from our squad, led by the fierce spirit of Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, was infectious.
The command was given for fire, and fire they delivered. Shafali Verma, playing with the raw confidence of youth, set the pitch alight. Her innings was more than just a score, it was a bold statement. With a magnificent 87 off 78 balls, she shredded the nerves and put South Africa’s bowlers on the back foot immediately.
Backed by Smriti Mandhana, their opening stand ensured that we posted a commanding total of 298/7. This was a score that felt like a fortress, a symbol of the team’s relentless fight.
As the chase began, and South Africa’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt, began to anchor their reply with a spectacular century (101), familiar fears crept into the collective conscious. The trophy, which felt so close, seemed to be slipping away.
But our ultimate hero, Deepti Sharma, delivered the moment of the tournament. After contributing a crucial 58 runs with the bat, she turned the match on its head with the ball. Her precision and guile culminated in a breathtaking 5-wicket haul (5/39). The moment she dismissed Wolvaardt, the roar that erupted from the stadium was the sound of a billion sighs of relief.
Deepti’s combined performance is historic: she is the first cricketer, male or female, to score a fifty and take a five-wicket haul in an ICC World Cup knockout match. She was rightly crowned the Player of the Tournament.
When the final wicket fell, the emotion was overwhelming. The sight of our heroes embracing, tears streaming down their faces, was a moment that will forever be etched in the national memory. This is the result of years of sacrifice, dedication, and unflinching belief.
The BCCI’s announcement of a massive ₹51 crore cash reward reflects the magnitude of this achievement. This victory is not just for the team; it is for every single young girl in our country who dares to dream. We are World Champions, and this is just the beginning of our golden era!
