India’s long-anticipated quest for their first Women’s World Cup title culminated in an emotional moment as Harmanpreet Kaur and her teammates lifted the trophy after defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final held at the DY Patil Stadium. The victory before a packed audience marked a dramatic turnaround for the team, which faced significant challenges during the tournament, including three consecutive losses, one of which was against South Africa in the league stage.
Guided by Kaur’s leadership, the team made a stunning comeback, particularly in the semi-finals where they executed a remarkable chase against the defending champions, Australia. In that match, Jemimah Rodrigues played a pivotal role with an unbeaten 127 runs, igniting hopes for India’s title ambitions as they prepared to face South Africa, who were equally striving for their maiden World Cup victory.
In the final, India set a challenging target of 298 runs, with opener Shafali Verma emerging as a standout performer. Her explosive innings of 87 runs came at a crucial juncture and she continued to excel by taking two key wickets, dramatically shifting the momentum when South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt was nearing her hundred. Wolvaardt scored 101 runs but her dismissal heralded a collapse of the South African side, who ended their innings at 246 in the 46th over.
Player-of-the-match Verma, who only joined the squad just before the knockout stage due to an injury replacement, did not just contribute with the bat but was instrumental in the bowling department as well. Meanwhile, teammate Deepti Sharma showcased her all-around talent, scoring 58 runs and claiming five wickets during the final match, ultimately wrapping up the tournament with impressive figures that earned her the title of player-of-the-tournament.
The emotional weight of this victory has resonated deeply with the team, particularly for Smriti Mandhana, their leading scorer throughout the tournament. She expressed gratitude for the support the team received, acknowledging the heartbreaks they’ve faced in previous tournaments and the resolve that brought them to this moment.
This victory not only signifies a historic achievement for the Indian women’s cricket team but also highlights the growing prominence of women’s sports in the country. With this World Cup win, there is a renewed sense of hope and excitement for the future of women’s cricket, inspiring the next generation of athletes and further advancing the cause of inclusivity and empowerment in sports globally.