In a thrilling final at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday night, the Indian women’s team defeated South Africa by 52 runs to claim their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup trophy, marking a historic occasion for Indian cricket.
Hailing the triumph as a “monumental achievement that will take Indian women’s cricket to a new level,” BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia reportedly declared a ₹51 crore award for the players and support staff, sparking celebrations across the nation.
IPL chairman Arun Dhumal, meanwhile, praised the team’s historic accomplishment and compared it to India’s famous men’s World Cup victory in 1983.
For Indian women’s cricket, today is a red-letter day. The Indian women’s team in Mumbai has replicated what the men’s team accomplished in 1983. Women’s cricket in the nation will benefit greatly from this historic victory, and I’m sure our game will now reach new heights,” Dhumal told IANS.
Earlier, when batting first, India scored an impressive 298/7 thanks to contributions from Smriti Mandhana (45) and Richa Ghosh (34), as well as Shafali Verma’s fluid 87 and Deepti Sharma’s controlled 58. Mandhana and Verma’s strong 100-run opening partnership laid the groundwork for a sizable total before South Africa rallied late to keep India just below 300.
Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt pulled together a quick fifty-run opening partnership as South Africa, chasing 299, got off to a strong start. However, the Brits’ stay was cut short by a direct hit from Amanjot Kaur, and India then took command of the match.
After young bowler Sree Charani struck in her opening over, trapping Anneke Bosch LBW, Shafali Verma, who was also brilliant with the ball, produced a spell that changed the course of the game by quickly dismissing Marizanne Kapp and Sune Luus.
Then, Deepti Sharma gave a tremendous performance, crushing South Africa’s middle order with 5 for 39. The Proteas were bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs, despite Wolvaardt’s valiant 101, as India secured a historic 52-run triumph amid thunderous home support.
The moment signified not only a World Cup victory but also the start of a new era for Indian women’s cricket, as the tricolor soared high and the players embraced with tears of delight.
Quick Scores:
India defeated South Africa 246 all out in 45.3 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 101, Annerie Dercksen 35; Deepti Sharma 5-39, Shafali Verma 2-36) by 52 runs in 50 overs (Shafali Verma 87, Deepti Sharma 58, Richa Ghosh 34; Ayabonga Khaka 3-58).
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India defeats South Africa in a historic first World Cup victory thanks to Deepti and Shafali