India vs South Africa ICC Women's World Cup 2025 Final: INDIA ARE THE WORLD CHAMPIONS

The Indian women's cricket team has scripted history! Harmanpreet and Co are the new ODI world champions. They beat South Africa by 52 runs to lift their maiden ICC Women's World Cup title in Navi Mumbai on Sunday (November 2).

Chasing the target of 299-run and eyeing their first maiden title, South Africa opened the innings with Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits. The duo stitched 50-run partnership in 9 overs. India broke the deadlock after Amanjot's superb direct hit dismissed Brits for 23 runs. After 10 overs, South Africa were 52/1. Shree Charani then dismissed Anneke Bosch for a duck. South Africa were 62/2 after 12 overs.

South Africa reached 100 in 18 overs. Laura was in red-hot form as she kept the scoreboard ticking along with Sune Luus. Harmanpreet then brought on Shafali Verma and it just turned out to be a gold one. Shafali dismissed Sune for 25 at a time when Proteas were running away with the match. Meanwhile, Laura completed her half-century. Shafali was once again in the spotlight as this time she sent back Marizanne Kapp for four runs and putting South Africa on the backfoot. At the half-way stage, South Africa were 127/4. Deepti then came back in the attack to dismiss Sinalo Jafta for 16 runs, putting India in a solid position.

However, Laura stood tall throughout the innings when wickets kept falling at the other end. But just as South Africa looked in command, Deepti Sharma pulled India back in the game by dismissing Annerie Dercksen for 35 runs at a crucial juncture. Meanwhile, Laura completed a sensational century. But Deepti once again got India back in the game as she dismissed Laura for 101 runs off 98 balls and then in the same over, she dismissed Chloe Tryon for nine runs.

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Earlier in the innings, after persistent rain delayed the starting of the match, South Africa won the toss and elected to have a bowl first in the final at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday (November 2). India opened their innings with Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who came in to replace the injured Pratika Rawal. The duo started off on aggressive note and took on the South African bowlers. The hosts reached 50 in 6.3 overs. Smriti and Shafali steadied the innings with some wonderful shots and putting the pressure back on South African bowlers. After 10 overs, India were 65/0. The openers forged a 100-run partnership in just 18 overs. Chloe Tyron broke the deadlock for South Africa as she dismissed Mandhana for 45 runs. At half-way stage, India were 151/1 with Shafali and Jemimah at the crease.

Shafali continued to keep the scoreboard ticking along with Jemimah. However, Shafali, who was looking in red-hot form was sent back to the pavilion for 87 runs after she was caught by Sune Luus off Ayabonga Khaka delivery. Jemimah was next to go as South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt took a sensational catch to send her back for 24 runs. After 30 overs, India were 172/3.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur was joined with Deepti Sharma at the crease. With South Africa putting the pressure on India with tight fielding, Harmanpreet and Deepti found it difficult to keep the scoreboard moving. India reached 200 in 35 overs.

Harmanpreet, who was struggling to find the middle of the bat was dismissed by Mlaba for 20 runs off 29 balls. After 40 overs, India were 229/4. Amanjot Kaur was then dismissed by de Klerk for 12 runs. Towards the end of the innings, Richa and Deepti played some aggressive shots and took India to a massive total of 298 for the loss of seven wickets. Deepti also completed her half-century off 53 balls. Richa was dismissed by Khaka for well-made 34 runs off 24 balls. For South Africa, Ayabonga Khaka was the pick of the bowler as she took 3/58.