At the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on 2 November 2025, India’s women’s team defeated South Africa by 52 runs to lift their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title. It was more than a victory, it was a redemption arc after years of near misses. Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the team blended youthful aggression and mature composure to script history. Shafali Verma’s attacking 87 and Deepti Sharma’s all-round brilliance carried India home. The roar of the crowd and the tears of the players told a story that statistics alone could never express.
Ind Vs SA: Overall Match Highlights
| Category | Details |
| Date | 2 November 2025 |
| Venue | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai |
| Result | India won by 52 runs |
| India Innings | 298/7 (50 overs) |
| South Africa Innings | 246 all out (45.3 overs) |
| Player of the Match | Shafali Verma (87 runs) |
| Player of the Tournament | Deepti Sharma (58 runs & 5 wickets) |
| Top SA Performer | Laura Wolvaardt (101 runs) |
Toss And Opening Strategy:
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and chose to field first, confident that chasing under lights would favour her side. India’s openers took the cautious route, focusing on rotation rather than risk. The early exchanges were evenly matched tight lines from the Proteas, watchful strokes from the Indian batters. The decision to bat first allowed India to control the tempo later.
South Africa wanted early breakthroughs to restrict India below 260. India’s calm start built a platform for acceleration. The crowd’s energy turned every run into a roar, amplifying pressure on both sides.
India’s Batting Brilliance:
India chose to bat first after losing the toss, and their performance was a masterclass in controlled aggression. The top order absorbed early pressure, then unleashed powerful strokes across the park. The 98-run stand between Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma became the backbone of the innings. South Africa’s bowlers struggled to maintain rhythm as India’s middle order added finishing touches, ensuring a commanding total.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate |
| Shafali Verma | 87 | 76 | 10 | 3 | 114.47 |
| Smriti Mandhana | 34 | 41 | 4 | 0 | 82.92 |
| Deepti Sharma | 58 | 72 | 6 | 1 | 80.55 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 41 | 39 | 5 | 1 | 105.12 |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | 33 | 27 | 4 | 0 | 122.22 |
| Richa Ghosh | 21 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 140.00 |
| Extras | 24 | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 298/7 (50 overs) | — | — | — | — |
Once settled, Shafali Verma ignited the innings with fearless strokes, racing to 87 runs with a mix of elegance and aggression. Deepti Sharma supported her perfectly, rotating strike and finding gaps. Their partnership broke the game open as India crossed 250 with ease. South Africa’s bowlers struggled to contain the momentum.
South Africa’s Brave Response:
South Africa began their chase cautiously, losing an early wicket before Wolvaardt’s masterful 101 steadied nerves.
Chasing 299 was always going to be tough, but South Africa showed determination. Laura Wolvaardt’s elegant 101 gave them hope, yet wickets at crucial junctures derailed their momentum. India’s spinners and seamers worked in tandem, forcing errors through tight lines and varied pace. The chase, though spirited, eventually crumbled under scoreboard pressure.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate |
| Laura Wolvaardt | 101 | 108 | 12 | 1 | 93.52 |
| Tazmin Brits | 28 | 35 | 4 | 0 | 80.00 |
| Marizanne Kapp | 45 | 49 | 6 | 0 | 91.83 |
| Chloe Tryon | 26 | 24 | 3 | 1 | 108.33 |
| Sune Luus | 17 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 85.00 |
| Others | Low scores | — | — | — | — |
| Extras | 29 | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 246 all out (45.3 overs) | — | — | — | — |
Middle Overs Battle During the Match:
Between overs 15 and 40, the match hung in balance. India’s spinners, especially Deepti Sharma and Rajeshwari Gayakwad, tightened the screws. South Africa’s run rate dipped below 6 per over, and frustration grew.
Key observations:
- India’s bowling changes were timely and effective.
- South Africa struggled to convert singles into boundaries.
- A sharp catch by Harmanpreet shifted momentum back to India.
The Final Last 10 Overs:
As the chase entered the last 10 overs, South Africa required over 90 runs.
Takeaways:
- India’s discipline under pressure defined their death bowling.
- South Africa’s lower order fought bravely but lacked firepower.
The victory reflected India’s composure in crunch moments. India’s bowlers delivered yorkers, cutters, and slower balls with precision. Pooja Vastrakar’s double strike sealed the match.
Strategic Masterclass From Harmanpreet Kaur:
Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership throughout the final was calm, assertive, and inspiring. Her tactical awareness during both innings displayed the maturity of a seasoned leader. She trusted her bowlers, rotated the attack smartly, and maintained composure even when Wolvaardt’s century threatened India’s grip.
In an emotional moment captured on video, Harmeet Kaur opens up about the journey, the pressure and the sheer joy of being part of the championship-winning squad.
This video adds a layer of deeply human context to the triumph showing that behind the cheers and headlines are athletes with stories of grit, hope and unbreakable resolve.
Key observations:
- Field placements were aggressive yet flexible, forcing South Africa’s batters into mistakes.
- She encouraged spinners to attack, not just contain, resulting in breakthroughs.
- Her calm presence influenced her players to stay focused in high-pressure overs.
- Harmanpreet’s leadership wasn’t loud, it was empowering.
- She knew when to step back and let her bowlers control the tempo.
- Her decisions in the middle overs, particularly bringing Deepti and Pooja in tandem, changed the match’s rhythm completely.
Deepti Sharma’s All-Round Brilliance:
Deepti Sharma’s performance will forever be remembered as one of the greatest in World Cup finals.
Highlights:
- Batted with composure under pressure, steadying the innings after two quick wickets.
- Used variations.flight, drift, and subtle turn to deceive batters.
Dismissed both Kapp and Tryon in quick succession, breaking South Africa’s backbone. Her contribution symbolized India’s evolution as a player combining temperament and technique, leading from the front.
Her 58 runs built India’s innings from the middle, and her five-wicket haul crushed South Africa’s resistance. She became the first Indian woman to achieve a fifty and five-wicket double in a World Cup final.
Shafali Verma’s Defining Knock:
At just 21, Shafali Verma played an innings that will echo in Indian cricket history. Her 87 runs set the platform for India’s total and demoralized South Africa’s attack early on. She mixed flair with discipline, proving she’s more than just a power-hitter.
Key moments:
- Took on seamers with fearless pull and cover drives.
- Smartly targeted weaker bowlers, ensuring steady scoring across overs.
- Fell short of a century but left an indelible mark on the game.
- Her aggression set the tone that India weren’t just participants; they were dominators. It was the spark that ignited India’s championship run.
Records And Milestones Created:
The 2025 Women’s World Cup final broke several records and etched new milestones for Indian cricket.
| Record | Achievement |
| India’s First Women’s ODI World Cup Title | 2025 |
| Deepti Sharma | First player (Men/Women) with 50+ runs & 5 wickets in a World Cup Final |
| Shafali Verma | Most runs in a World Cup final for India (87) |
| Laura Wolvaardt | First South African woman to score a World Cup final century |
| Team India | Highest team total in a Women’s World Cup final (298/7) |
Each record added a new layer to the legacy of women’s cricket in India. It wasn’t just a statistical triumph, it was emotional validation.
Legacy Of The 2025 World Cup Final:
The 2025 World Cup final will be remembered as the moment women’s cricket in India became mainstream.
Key impacts:
- BCCI announced new domestic leagues and incentives for women players.
- The match attracted record television viewership globally.
- It symbolized the closing of a long gap between men’s and women’s cricket in recognition and emotion.
- This legacy extends beyond trophies, it represents opportunity, equality, and recognition for generations to come.
Sponsorships, school programs, and grassroots training received immediate attention after the triumph.
The Celebration Night:
As the trophy glittered under the floodlights, the team’s lap of honor turned emotional. Flags waved, confetti rained, and music blared through the stadium. India’s women were now world champions.
The squad posed with the tricolor, singing “Vande Mataram.” Fans poured onto the streets, celebrating into the night.
For one evening, cricket wasn’t divided by gender, it was united by pride. That celebration wasn’t just about victory, it was about visibility, respect, and the dawn of a new era.
When the final wicket fell, jubilation erupted. The entire Indian dugout sprinted onto the field, embracing teammates in tears. Fireworks lit up the Mumbai sky as fans celebrated India’s first-ever Women’s World Cup title.
Deepti Sharma’s all-round performance became the symbol of India’s rise. The win inspired a generation of young cricketers across India. South Africa’s sportsmanship earned admiration worldwide.
Conclusion:
India’s 52-run win over South Africa in the 2025 Women’s World Cup final was more than a sporting triumph, it was a societal shift. It blended discipline, belief, and emotional depth. Every player, from Shafali’s aggression to Deepti’s grace, contributed to a masterpiece that will define Indian sport for years. The title didn’t just belong to the team, it belonged to every dreamer who believed in the impossible.
FAQs:
India won the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup by defeating South Africa by 52 runs.
Shafali Verma was Player of the Match, and Deepti Sharma was named Player of the Tournament.
The final took place at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
Shafali Verma scored 87 for India, while Laura Wolvaardt made 101 for South Africa.
It was India’s first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup title, achieved through complete team effort, tactical brilliance, and emotional redemption.
