November 2, 2025, marked a golden chapter in Indian cricket as the women’s team lifted their maiden World Cup trophy, ending a 52-year-long wait for global glory. Under the composed leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, India triumphed over South Africa at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium in a high-intensity final that had fans on edge until the last moment.
After heavy rains delayed the start, South Africa opted to bowl first, hoping to take advantage of the conditions. However, India’s opening pair, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, turned the tide with an electric 104-run partnership—the second-highest stand ever in a World Cup final. Mandhana’s elegant 42-run knock set the stage, but it was Shafali who stole the show with her fearless 87 off 77 balls, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Supported by Deepti Sharma’s composed 58 and Richa Ghosh’s quick 34, India posted a commanding total of 298 runs—the second-highest in World Cup final history.
Chasing 299, South Africa began strongly as openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Britz stitched a 51-run stand. But India soon broke through when Amanjot Kaur’s direct hit removed Britz, followed by Shree Charani dismissing Anneke Bosch for a duck. South Africa’s momentum flickered back through Wolvaardt and Sune Luus, who built a 52-run partnership, but the hosts struck back hard.
Harmanpreet’s tactical move to bring in Shafali paid off as she dismissed both Luus and Marizanne Kapp, shifting the game’s rhythm. Deepti Sharma then delivered a spell for the ages, claiming five wickets for just 39 runs and sealing South Africa’s fate. Despite Wolvaardt’s fighting 101 off 98 balls—her second consecutive century—South Africa fell short by 52 runs.
As fireworks lit up the Mumbai skyline, India’s victory symbolized not just the end of a long wait but the beginning of a new era for women’s cricket. For Harmanpreet and her spirited squad, it was a dream realized—a story of resilience, unity, and history written in bold blue.
