WWC 2025 :  Daughters of India Crowned World Champions! Shafali & Deepti Shine as Harmanpreet’s Squad Breaks the Curse Against South Africa

Sports Desk : As long as Laura Wolvaardt stayed at the crease, Harmanpreet Kaur could not relax. After scoring a century in the semifinal, Wolvaardt repeated the feat in the final — yet couldn’t take her team to victory. At last, on their third attempt, India broke the jinx — becoming World Champions on home soil, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final.

Batting first, India posted 298/7, and in reply, South Africa were bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs. It was the all-round brilliance of Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma that powered Harmanpreet’s side to lift the coveted trophy.

🌧 Rain Delay & Toss Drama

The final on Sunday began after a two-hour delay due to heavy rain. In a rain-affected match, any captain would have preferred to bowl first — and that’s exactly what Wolvaardt chose to do after winning the toss. Interestingly, throughout the tournament, Harmanpreet had only won one toss — against Bangladesh — but that didn’t change India’s fate this time.

Shafali’s Explosive Start

With Priyanka Rawal ruled out due to injury, Shafali Verma was brought back into the squad before the semifinals. Though she didn’t score much against Australia, she came roaring back in the final. From the very first ball, she attacked the bowlers, giving Smriti Mandhana time to settle in.

The two openers built a 100-run partnership, scoring at six runs an over. Shafali reached her fifty in just 49 balls, becoming the youngest opener — male or female — to score a fifty in a World Cup final at just 21 years and 278 days. The previous record was held by Virender Sehwag (24 years, 154 days in 2003). Shafali, who idolizes Sehwag, played in his fearless style — powerful from the start, impossible to stop once set.

She adjusted her batting after learning from her previous dismissal — playing straighter and timing beautifully. She scored 87 off 78 balls before cramping forced her to go for a big shot and lose her wicket. Mandhana fell for 45, narrowly missing her half-century.

Middle Order & Deepti’s Composure

Both Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur failed to score big, dismissed for 24 and 20 respectively by South Africa’s spinners. India’s innings was then steadied by Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh. While Deepti anchored, Richa counterattacked — hitting towering sixes and lifting the run rate when it had dropped. Richa made 34 off 24, and Deepti’s composed 58 guided India to 298/7 in 50 overs.

Though some felt India were 30 runs short, DY Patil Stadium is known for easier chases, especially with dew making life tough for bowlers.

Fielding Turns the Game

South Africa began confidently through Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, and for a while it seemed they were on course. But India’s brilliant ground fielding turned the match around. Despite some dropped catches, the energy and commitment were unmatched. Amanjot Kaur’s direct hit ran out Brits for 23, and Aneke Bosch was dismissed for a duck.

Wolvaardt, alongside captain Sune Luus, looked dangerous again. That’s when Harmanpreet made a surprise move — giving the ball to Shafali Verma. Before this match, Shafali had bowled only 14 overs in ODIs, but she struck gold, dismissing Luus caught and bowled in her very first over. In her next, she dismissed the dangerous Marizanne Kapp, tightening India’s grip on the match.

Shafali found a perfect bowling partner in Deepti Sharma, as both spinners kept South Africa’s middle order in check.

Deepti’s Five-for & The Final Blow

Anneke Dirksen gave Wolvaardt some support, but with the required run rate climbing, mistakes crept in. Deepti dismissed Dirksen for 35, and soon after, the biggest breakthrough came — Wolvaardt, on 101, tried to hit a six but was caught by Amanjot Kaur, who completed a juggling catch after nearly losing balance.

Even then, South Africa had faint hopes through Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk, who had beaten India in the group stage. But Deepti ended those hopes, dismissing both batters.

Deepti finished with 5 wickets for 39 runs, along with her fifty — a match-winning all-round performance. The final catch was taken by Harmanpreet herself — sealing India’s historic World Cup triumph.

Final Score:
India – 298/7 (50 overs)
South Africa – 246 all out (45.3 overs)
India won by 52 runs

✨ Player of the Match: Deepti Sharma

Player of the Tournament: Shafali Verma

India are World Champions — at last, the curse is broken! 🇮🇳