DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, November 2, 2025 – After a long wait, India and South Africa faced each other in the Women’s Cricket World Cup Final on home soil. This epic battle between Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India and Laura Wolvaardt-led Proteas side was a historic opportunity to become World Champions. This article will analyze all the details, from the toss to the brilliant display of the Indian team’s batting, South Africa’s counter-fight, and the decisive historic victory secured through the Indian bowlers’ controlled bowling in the final moments. Personal performances, crucial partnerships, and thrilling moments of the match will also be discussed in detail.
First Innings: India’s Strong Batting and Shafali’s Brilliance
The toss was delayed by almost two hours due to rain. South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt, who won the toss, decided to field first and invited India to bat.
India’s two openers, Shafali Verma 87 and Smriti Mandhana 45, gave the team a flying start. Together, they built a destructive 104-run opening partnership. Shafali completed her half-century in just 71 balls. After Smriti Mandhana was out, the semi-final star Jemimah Rodrigues 24 runs quickly returned to the pavilion.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur 20 and Deepti Sharma 58 carried the team forward. Deepti Sharma completed her half-century in 53 balls, and Richa Ghosh 34 added quick runs towards the end, pushing India close to the 300-run mark.
Among the South African bowlers, Ayabonga Khaka took 3 wickets, conceding 58 runs in 9 overs. In addition, Nonkululeko Mlaba took 1 wicket for 47 runs in 10 overs, and Chloe Tryon took 1 wicket for 46 runs in 7 overs. Nadine de Klerk took 1 wicket for 52 runs in 9 overs, where her one-handed catch to dismiss Amanjot Kaur was one of the best fielding moments of the innings.
- India Scorecard: 298 Runs/7 Wickets/50 Overs
Second Innings: Wolvaardt’s Century and Deepti Sharma’s Spin Magic
South Africa came out to bat with a difficult target of 299 runs to win the World Cup. The opening pair of Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits gave them a start of 51 runs. However, a brilliant Direct Hit run-out by Amanjot Kaur dismissed Tazmin Brits 23, which was India’s first breakthrough and a crucial fielding moment.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt batted brilliantly at one end. She scored an outstanding century of 101 runs off just 98 balls, keeping the Proteas’ hopes of victory alive. She was well supported by Annerie Dercksen 35. At one point, South Africa’s score was 209 runs for 4 wickets.
It was then that Indian spinner Deepti Sharma showcased her magic. Deepti turned the match around by dismissing the set Laura Wolvaardt and Chloe Tryon in the same over. Laura Wolvaardt’s century ended with an outstanding running catch taken by Amanjot Kaur near the boundary line. Deepti bowled 9.3 overs, conceding just 39 runs and taking a total of 5 wickets . Shafali Verma made a significant contribution, bowling 4 overs, conceding 36 runs, and taking 2 wickets. Additionally, Shree Charani took 1 wicket for 48 runs in 9 overs. Renuka Singh, despite taking no wickets in her 8-over spell, maintained the pressure by conceding only 28 runs.
The final wicket of the match was claimed by Harmanpreet Kaur, who took a sensational catch, securing India’s World Cup victory. Against India’s controlled bowling, South Africa was all out for 246 runs within 46 overs. India won historically by 52 runs.
- South Africa Scorecard: 246 Runs/10 Wickets/45.3 Overs
- India won by 52 runs.
Top 5 Moments of the Match
- First World Cup Victory: This was the first time that India won the ICC World Cup title in women’s cricket.
- Deepti Sharma’s All-Round Performance: A superb spell of 5 wickets for 39 runs (5/39) with the ball, coupled with 58 runs with the bat, which decided the fate of the final match.
- Shafali-Smriti’s Start: The 104-run opening partnership between Shafali Verma 87 and Smriti Mandhana 45 laid the foundation for India’s big score.
- Match-Winning Catches and Fielding: The Direct Hit run-out of Tazmin Brits by Amanjot Kaur and the brilliant running catch to dismiss Laura Wolvaardt were the turning points of the match.
- Laura Wolvaardt’s Lone Fight: South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt’s fighting century of 101 runs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who was the Player of the Match?
Shafali Verma (87 runs in batting and 2/36 in bowling).
After how many years did India win the World Cup?
India won their first Women’s ODI World Cup title after a wait of 47 years.
India’s highest scorer?
Verma Shafali87 runs.
South Africa’s best bowler?
Ayabonga Khaka (3 wickets for 58 runs in 9 overs).
What was the margin of the final match?
India won by 52 runs.
What is the result of the match?
India won their first Women’s World Cup title.
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