Web Desk — November 2, 2025
Dubai: India clinched their maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final on Sunday.
Batting first after a two-hour rain delay, India posted 298/7 in 50 overs. Shafali Verma led with 87 (7 fours, 2 sixes), while Deepti Sharma contributed 58. Smriti Mandhana (45), Richa Ghosh (34), and Jemimah Rodrigues (24) provided support. South Africa’s Ayabonga Khaka took 3 wickets.
Chasing 299, South Africa managed 246 all out. Captain Laura Wolvaardt fought hard with a century (101 off 11 fours, 1 six), but the rest collapsed. Deepti Sharma starred with the ball, claiming 5 wickets. Annerie Dercksen added 35, but no other batter crossed 25.
This is India’s first Women’s World Cup title. South Africa, despite reaching their first final, fell short again after the 2022 T20 World Cup loss.
