India carved out a memorable victory against South Africa in a pulsating ICC Women’s World Cup final on Sunday. Played at a packed Navi Mumbai Stadium in India’s business capital, the Indian side held their nerve to secure a narrow 52 run win — a performance that showcased both resilience and tactical brilliance.
Batting first after winning the toss, India posted a competitive total of 298 for seven in their allotted fifty overs. The Proteas were all out in 46 overs while chasing the target.

Praises poured in after the win.

”1983 inspired an entire generation to dream big and chase those dreams. Today, our Women’s Cricket Team has done something truly special. They have inspired countless young girls across the country to pick up a bat and ball, take the field and believe that they too can lift that trophy one day. This is a defining moment in the journey of Indian women’s cricket. Well done, Team India. You’ve made the whole nation proud,” said cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “A spectacular win by the Indian team in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Finals. Their performance in the final was marked by great skill and confidence. The team showed exceptional teamwork and tenacity throughout the tournament. Congratulations to our players. This historic win will motivate future champions to take up sports.“

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said: “What a moment of pride! Our Women in Blue have made history and touched a billion hearts. Your courage, grit, and grace have brought glory to India and inspired countless young girls to dream fearlessly. You didn’t just lift a trophy, you lifted a nation’s spirit. Jai Hind!”.

This tournament had always felt like India’s World Cup — as hosts, as an ascendant global force in women’s cricket, and as the team that had challenged the sport’s long-time powerhouse more fiercely than anyone else. For years, their moment had seemed inevitable; on Sunday night, it finally arrived.

Shafali Verma turned in a performance worthy of a final and of her growing legend, striking 87 off 78 balls to lift India to 298 for 7, then returning to snare two wickets with typically bold variations when the chase swayed dangerously. Deepti Sharma, balancing elegance and efficiency, added a fluent 58 and bowled a career-defining spell of 5 for 39, mixing classical flight with modern precision. The 52-run margin did little justice to the drama that unfolded before a charged Navi Mumbai crowd.

It was a final framed by two teams bound by past heartbreak. In the end, it was South Africa that endured another cruel twist. Captain Laura Wolvaardt, the tournament’s standout batter, crafted a magnificent 101 off 98 balls after her semi-final hundred, holding her side’s hopes deep into the chase. But when she miscued Deepti and the ball soared into the night sky, South Africa’s resistance dimmed.
Nadine de Klerk, the hero of their league-stage win over India, tried once more to conjure the improbable. But with 78 still needed and only the tail for company, her fight could only delay the inevitable. India’s long wait was over. The World Cup was finally theirs.