India Women created history on November 2, 2025, defeating South Africa Women by 52 runs in the ICC Women’s World Cup final at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. After a two-hour rain delay, India posted 298/7 in 50 overs, the second-highest total in Women’s World Cup final history. Deepti Sharma’s brilliant bowling spell that yielded five crucial wickets, including South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt’s century-ending dismissal, helped India defend their total. This marks India’s first-ever World Cup title in the 50-over format, ending years of heartbreak in major finals.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo, ICC Official Website, News24
Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India Women | 298 | 50.0 | 7 | Won by 52 runs |
| South Africa Women | 246 | 45.3 | 10 | Lost |
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shafali Verma | India | Batter | 87 runs off 78 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes) |
| Deepti Sharma | India | All-rounder | 58 runs (58 balls) & 5 wickets for 39 runs |
| Laura Wolvaardt | South Africa | Batter | 101 runs off 98 balls |
| Ayabonga Khaka | South Africa | Bowler | 3 wickets for 58 runs |
Source: Match Scorecard Data
Key Moments
- Opening Partnership: Smriti Mandhana (45) and Shafali Verma added 104 runs for the opening wicket at nearly seven runs per over
- Shafali’s Brilliance: Shafali Verma scored her first ODI fifty in over three years, making 87 off 78 balls with seven fours and two sixes before falling in the 28th over
- Deepti’s Anchor Role: Deepti Sharma scored a composed 58 off 58 balls, including three fours and a six, steadying the innings after middle-order wickets fell
- Richa’s Cameo: Richa Ghosh came in at 245 for 5 in the 44th over and launched her second ball for an effortless six over the covers, finishing with 34 off 24 balls
- Khaka’s Fightback: Ayabonga Khaka bowled an expensive new-ball spell but came back brilliantly with the old ball, picking up the key wickets of Shafali, Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh
- Early Breakthrough: Shree Charani struck in her first over to trap Anneke Bosch leg-before, halting South Africa’s early momentum
- Shafali’s Double Strike: Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to bring Shafali Verma into the attack proved inspired, as the opener’s twin strikes removing Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp turned momentum in India’s favor
- Deepti’s Match-Winning Spell: Deepti Sharma struck twice in a single over, dismissing both Laura Wolvaardt and Chloe Tryon at a decisive stage when the required run rate began to climb
- Wolvaardt’s Century: Laura Wolvaardt kept South Africa in the hunt with a superb century, even as wickets tumbled regularly at the other end
Match Analysis
The contest was tantalisingly placed at the halfway stage, with India having been 200 for 3 at the 35-over mark, though 299 proved to be a stiff chase in a World Cup final against the hosts in a stadium packed with home support. The pitch at DY Patil Stadium hadn’t looked quite as flat as the one that hosted the India-Australia semi-final, as the ball gripped and stopped for both South Africa’s spinners and seamers when they bowled cutters.
India’s opening stand set the platform, but South Africa pulled things back through Nadine de Klerk’s straighter lines and left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba’s pace variations, with India only scoring 13 runs in five overs from the 9th to the 13th. Despite this fightback, India’s lower middle-order contributions from Deepti and Richa ensured a competitive total.
In the chase, Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen offered resistance with a fighting fifty-run stand, steering South Africa past the 200-run mark after a collapse had left them reeling at 148/5. However, Deepti Sharma’s inspired bowling at crucial moments sealed the victory for India.
What’s Next
This historic victory crowns a first-time world champion, marking a new chapter in women’s cricket. India’s triumph comes after years of near-misses in major tournaments, including their heartbreaking loss in the 2017 World Cup final at Lord’s. This win is expected to give a massive boost to women’s cricket in India, building on the momentum created by the Women’s Premier League.
For South Africa, despite the loss, this marks their first-ever Women’s World Cup final in the 50-over format, making it a deeply emotional occasion for the team and their supporters. Both teams have broken new ground in this tournament, defeating traditional powerhouses to reach the final.