Mumbai, November 3, 2025: India lifted their first-ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup trophy on Sunday with a comprehensive 52-run victory over South Africa in the final at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy.
Chasing 299 for victory, South Africa were bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs, despite a valiant century from captain Laura Wolvaardt. India’s bowlers, led by Deepti Sharma’s brilliant 5/39, sealed the triumph to script a new chapter in Indian women’s cricket history.
South Africa made a confident start, with Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits putting on a 51-run opening stand before Brits was run out for 23. Anneke Bosch fell cheaply soon after, and Shafali Verma struck to remove Sune Luus (25) and Marizanne Kapp (4), leaving the Proteas struggling at 118-4.
Wolvaardt fought back with a composed 101 off 98 balls, including 11 fours and a six, while Annerie Dercksen contributed a brisk 35 off 37 deliveries in a 61-run partnership. However, once Deepti Sharma broke the stand, the lower order crumbled. Sharma dismissed Dercksen, Chloe Tryon (9), and Nadine de Klerk (18), completing her five-wicket haul as India closed out the match emphatically.
Earlier, India posted 298/8 after being put in to bat. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma laid a strong platform with a 104-run stand. Mandhana made 45 off 58 balls before falling to Tryon, while Verma top-scored with a fluent 87 off 78 balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes.
Jemimah Rodrigues (24), skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (20), and Amanjot Kaur (12) added useful contributions, while Deepti Sharma anchored the middle order with a crucial 58 off 58 balls—her 18th ODI fifty. Richa Ghosh added late momentum with 34 off 24 deliveries as India’s total proved too much for the Proteas.
With the win, India completed a landmark campaign that showcased dominance with both bat and ball, securing their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup title and ending South Africa’s fairytale run in the tournament.
