Date: 2nd November 2025
Result: India Women won by 52 runs and lifted their first-ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup Trophy
A Night of History and Heart
The Dr. DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai turned into a sea of blue and tricolour flags on November 2, 2025, as the Indian women’s cricket team created history by defeating South Africa in the ICC Women’s World Cup Final.
For millions of fans across the country, this was not just a cricket match — it was a dream come true. After years of hard work, heartbreaks, and close calls, India finally brought home the Women’s ODI World Cup. The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric — chants of “India! India!” echoed with every boundary, and by the end of the night, tears of joy filled the eyes of the players and fans alike.
Toss and Start
South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and decided to bowl first, thinking early movement could trouble India’s batters. But what followed was an absolute masterclass in batting from India’s top order.
India’s Innings – Fire and Patience Combined
Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma started confidently. Mandhana played elegant drives, while Shafali went all guns blazing. The crowd roared with every boundary as India got off to a flying start, crossing 70 runs inside the first 10 overs.
When Mandhana was dismissed for a stylish 61, Shafali kept going, smashing 87 runs off just 64 balls with 11 fours and 3 sixes. Her fearless batting reminded fans of Virender Sehwag’s aggression — pure confidence and class.
As wickets started to fall in the middle overs, Deepti Sharma held the innings together with a calm and composed 58. Her sensible batting ensured India reached a competitive total.
📝 India Women’s Batting Scorecard (Final 2025)
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | 61 | 78 | 8 | 0 | 78.2 |
| Shafali Verma | 87 | 64 | 11 | 3 | 135.9 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur (c) | 36 | 55 | 3 | 0 | 65.4 |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | 27 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 87.1 |
| Deepti Sharma | 58 | 69 | 5 | 1 | 84.0 |
| Richa Ghosh (wk) | 14 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 155.5 |
| Pooja Vastrakar | 10 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 125.0 |
| Extras | 5 | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 298/7 (50 Overs) |
By the end of 50 overs, India posted 298 for 7, a strong total in a World Cup final. The crowd knew this could be the night.
South Africa’s Chase – Wolvaardt’s Lone Fight
Chasing 299 was always going to be tough, and India’s bowlers started tight. Still, South Africa fought bravely. Their captain Laura Wolvaardt played a brilliant innings, scoring 101 runs from 112 balls, keeping her team’s hopes alive.
But once again, Deepti Sharma turned the game completely with the ball. Her off-spin was clever, accurate, and deadly under pressure. She picked up 5 wickets, crushing South Africa’s middle order.
📝 South Africa Women’s Batting Scorecard (Final 2025)
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Wolvaardt (c) | 101 | 112 | 9 | 1 | 90.1 |
| Tazmin Brits | 29 | 33 | 4 | 0 | 87.8 |
| Sune Luus | 22 | 26 | 2 | 0 | 84.6 |
| Marizanne Kapp | 36 | 44 | 4 | 0 | 81.8 |
| Chloe Tryon | 18 | 20 | 2 | 1 | 90.0 |
| Nadine de Klerk | 12 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 85.7 |
| Others + Extras | 28 | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 246 all out (45.3 Overs) |
🌀 India Women’s Bowling Performance
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deepti Sharma | 10 | 34 | 5 | 3.4 |
| Pooja Vastrakar | 8 | 48 | 2 | 6.0 |
| Rajeshwari Gayakwad | 9 | 42 | 1 | 4.6 |
| Renuka Singh | 7 | 37 | 1 | 5.3 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 3.3 | 23 | 1 | 6.6 |
South Africa fought bravely but were bowled out for 246 runs. India won by 52 runs, and the celebrations began across the nation.
Shafali Verma’s explosive 87
Her fearless hitting gave India the perfect start and set the tone for a big total
Deepti Sharma’s all-round brilliance
She scored 58 crucial runs and took five wickets in the same final showing her unmatched impact on both sides of the game
Harmanpreet Kaur’s smart captaincy
Her calm decisions and smart bowling rotations during tense moments helped India maintain control throughout the match
Laura Wolvaardt’s lone battle
Her fighting century kept South Africa in the contest for a long time but she lacked solid support from the other end
Celebrations and Awards
As the last wicket fell, the entire stadium erupted in joy. Players hugged, cried, and ran across the field waving the Indian flag.
It was pure emotion. Years of effort had finally paid off.
🏆 Player of the Match: Shafali Verma (87 off 64)
🌟 Player of the Tournament: Deepti Sharma (58 & 5/34 in Final)
👑 Champion: India Women (First-ever ICC ODI World Cup Title)
The image of Harmanpreet Kaur lifting the trophy under the Mumbai night sky will remain iconic for generations.
What This Win Means for India
This win is more than just a trophy. It’s a message — that Indian women’s cricket has arrived at the top.
From losing the 2017 final by inches to dominating in 2025, this journey shows how much the team has grown. Young girls across India will now look at players like Shafali, Smriti, Deepti, and Harmanpreet as their heroes.
This victory feels like India’s 1983 moment, but for women’s cricket — a moment that will change the future of the sport in our country.
📊 Match Summary
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| India Women | 298/7 | 50 Overs | |
| South Africa Women | 246 all out | 45.3 Overs | India won by 52 runs |
Disclaimer: Some images in this article are AI-generated for illustrative purposes and do not represent real photographs.