India’s long-anticipated journey toward a Women’s World Cup title culminated in a historic victory at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday, as Harmanpreet Kaur and her emotional teammates celebrated a triumphant 52-run win over South Africa. This milestone not only secured the coveted trophy for India but also highlighted a remarkable comeback following a challenging series of setbacks, including three consecutive losses in the league stage.
The final was a thrilling contest between two teams fiercely vying for their first World Cup crown, with India showcasing an incredible turnaround after a record-setting semi-final performance where they successfully chased down a daunting target against the defending champions, Australia.
In the final match, Shafali Verma emerged as a standout player, delivering a stunning performance with a brisk 87 runs alongside crucial bowling that helped stymie South Africa’s chase. South Africa’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt, showcased her talent by scoring her second consecutive century of the tournament with a brilliant 101 runs, but India shifted the momentum decisively after her dismissal. Deepti Sharma’s exceptional all-round performance further bolstered India’s chances, as she contributed 58 runs and took 5 wickets for 39 runs throughout the match. Her remarkable achievement of 22 wickets and 215 runs during the tournament earned her the player-of-the-tournament accolade.
Amidst the celebrations, Smriti Mandhana reflected on the significance of their achievement, stating, “It’s still sinking in… to be the champions, I’m not able to process it.” Her words resonated with her teammates, who were acutely aware of the weight of their past disappointments in previous finals.
Despite the loss, Wolvaardt praised her team’s overall journey and their performance throughout the tournament, admitting, “We’ve played some brilliant cricket throughout but we were outplayed today; India played fantastically well.”
India’s victory is a pivotal moment for women’s cricket in the country, serving as an inspiring chapter that promises to uplift a new generation of players and underscores the increasing support for women’s sports. As fans and players alike celebrate this landmark achievement, the spirit of triumph sets a hopeful tone for even greater accomplishments on the horizon, marking a significant milestone in the history of Indian cricket.