Ind Vs SA Women's World Cup Final: Indian Women's Team Lift Their Maiden Trophy

India’s long wait for their first World Cup trophy came to an end as they defeated South Africa by 52 runs, finishing second in women’s ICC tournaments for the third time in consecutive years.

Match Summary

South Africa won the toss and elected to field.

India, batting first, finished the 50 overs at the DY Patil Stadium with a score of 298/6.

Shafali Varma wrote one of the most incredible comeback tales in sports history by putting on a stunning show in the ICC Women’s World Cup final, leading India to their first-ever world title.

After getting a last-minute spot on the Indian team just before the knockout stage, Verma delivered a crucial 87 in the final – her highest score in ODIs – and followed it up with key wickets that turned the game in India’s favor.

Alongside her, India also had another standout player in Deepti Sharma, who was named player of the tournament for her remarkable all-round performance.

The home team had several players stepping up, starting with their opening duo who put together a century partnership.

The aggressive opener consistently found the boundary, helping India get off to a fantastic start.

Smriti Mandhana also got in on the action, hitting a couple of boundaries off Ayabonga Khaka as India raced to 45/0 in the first six overs, much to the joy of the packed crowd.

However, South Africa tightened their grip after making some bowling changes, as only 47 runs were scored in the next ten overs, even though India didn’t lose a wicket.

Chloe Tyron finally broke the stalemate by dismissing Mandhana.

India’s run rate remained strong with Verma continuing to shine, reaching fifty in style.

With semifinal star Jemimah Rodrigues also getting off to a solid start at the other end, things looked grim for the South Africans.

South Africa managed to slow down India’s momentum by sending both set batters back to the pavilion, with Verma falling just 13 runs short of her first century.

This made Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma step up for India, and while they did a decent job, India lost their captain at a really important moment.

Amanjot Kaur didn’t really make a mark either, which meant Deepti and Richa Ghosh had to step up to finish strong.

The pair definitely came through, adding some vital runs.

Ghosh, in particular, looked fantastic after she smashed her second ball over extra cover for six.

With Deepti also reaching fifty at the other end, India seemed set to finish with a score over 300, but the South Africans managed to bowl two tight overs, limiting the hosts to 298 instead.

South Africa then got off to a great start in the powerplay, even though they stumbled a bit at first.

While chasing 299, Laura Wolvaardt and Tanzim Brits provided South Africa with a solid beginning, contributing 51 runs for the opening wicket

India’s new ball bowlers only gave away 12 runs in the first four overs of the chase, with Tazmin Brits really struggling at 6 off 16.

Wolvaardt then took charge of increasing the scoring rate, hitting a boundary in each of the next two overs, followed by a six from Brits over long off.

However, Amanjot’s brilliance in the next over gave India their first breakthrough with a direct hit that sent Brits packing.

Wolvaardt kept threatening with boundaries, but India gained the upper hand by taking another wicket at the other end.

Anneke Bosch wrapped up her disappointing tournament with a third duck after being trapped lbw by Shree Charani.

After the drinks break, South Africa did manage a brief comeback as boundaries started to flow again.

Sune Luus was looking sharp, and Wolvaardt surpassed 500 runs in the tournament, scoring another fifty along the way.

However, Harmanpreet’s choice to hand the ball to Verma in the 21st over turned out to be a brilliant move that caught South Africa off guard.

Verma struck with just her second delivery, as Luus hit a simple catch back to the bowler, and in her next over.

Marizanne Kapp edged a delivery down leg, getting caught by the keeper, which dramatically shifted the momentum of the game.

Deepti then added to the batting side’s woes by taking another wicket, ending Sinalo Jafta’s frustrating innings.

Annerie Dercksen seized a no-ball from Radha Yadav and smashed back-to-back sixes.

Dercksen gradually gained confidence, and with Wolvaardt looking solid at the other end, South Africa was determined not to back down.

It was then Deepti’s moment to shine as she bowled a perfect yorker to dismiss Dercksen.

In her next over, Deepti also claimed the crucial wicket of Wolvaardt, who had just reached another century after her impressive semifinal performance.

After Deepti trapped Tyron lbw just three balls later, it seemed like the end was near for the South Africans as their chase fell apart dramatically.

South Africa ultimately succumbed, getting bowled out for 246, with Deepti rightfully taking the final wicket to finish with five wickets.