Indian women’s cricket reached its Everest on a historic evening as Harmanpreet Kaur’s team lifted the ODI World Cup, completing a journey marked by resilience, heartbreak, and redemption. Years of effort and near-misses finally culminated in India joining the elite group of world champions — alongside Australia (7 titles), England (4), and New Zealand (1).
A Captain’s Intuition: The Moment That Changed Everything
When South African batters Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus were forging a strong partnership, India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur turned to an unlikely hero — Shafali Verma.
“When Laura and Sune were batting, they looked really good. I saw Shafali standing there and the way she batted earlier – I just knew it was her day,”
— Harmanpreet Kaur, post-match presentation
Trusting her instincts, Harmanpreet handed the ball to Shafali — a move that proved decisive.
“I went with my gut. I asked her if she was ready and she said yes immediately. She’s always wanted to contribute with the ball, and that over changed everything for us.”
— Harmanpreet added.
India’s Long-Awaited Redemption
With this win, India finally laid to rest the heartbreaks of 2005 and 2017, claiming their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup. It wasn’t just a victory — it was a defining moment that elevated women’s cricket to new heights in the country.
Scorecard Summary
| Match Detail | India | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Score | 298/7 (50 overs) | 246 all out (45.3 overs) |
| Top Scorer | Shafali Verma – 87 (off 77) | Laura Wolvaardt – 101 (off 98) |
| Key Partnership | Deepti Sharma & Shafali Verma | Wolvaardt & Luus |
| Best Bowling Figures | Deepti Sharma – 5/39 | Ayabonga Khaka – 3/54 |
| Result | India won by 52 runs | — |
Match-Winning Performances
| Player | Batting | Bowling | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shafali Verma | 87 (77 balls) | 2/36 (6 overs) | Turned the match with her golden arm |
| Deepti Sharma | 55 (60 balls) | 5/39 (9.2 overs) | All-round brilliance, sealed the victory |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 43 (38 balls) | — | Tactical masterstroke, inspirational leader |
A New Chapter for Women’s Cricket
India’s triumph in the 13th edition of the tournament wasn’t just about lifting the trophy — it symbolized the rise of a generation that believes, fights, and delivers. With Harmanpreet’s intuition and Shafali’s all-round brilliance, India didn’t just win a title; they won the hearts of millions.
“If you give me the ball, I’ll bowl ten for the team,”
— Shafali Verma’s words that defined the spirit of champions.