India secured their maiden ICC Women's World Cup victory as Smriti Mandhana emerged as the tournament's second-highest run-scorer with 434 runs, while Deepti Sharma 's exceptional bowling performance of 5/39 helped bundle out South Africa for 246 runs in Navi Mumbai on November 3.
Mandhana's remarkable World Cup campaign saw her break Mithali Raj 's record for the best performance by an Indian batter in a World Cup, averaging 54.25 across nine innings with one century and two fifties, including a top score of 109.
Click here to watch Smriti Mandhana’s emotional speech after World Cup win
"Every World Cup we have gone into, there have been so many heartbreaks for all of us. But we always believed that we had a bigger responsibility - not just to win, but to keep growing women's cricket," Mandhana said during the post-match interview.
"To finally lift the World Cup today - I will take those 45 sleepless nights any day for this moment. That last World Cup was definitely tough for all of us to take. But after that, we had a clear focus - to get fitter, stronger, and better in every area. And honestly, what is special about this team - and no one really talks about it - is how much we stuck together. Everyone supported each other, through good days and bad. We genuinely celebrated each other's success. The team environment this time... it was just so positive, so connected. That has been the biggest difference, I think," she added.
After South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl, India posted a formidable total of 298/7 in their 50 overs. The innings featured a century partnership between Mandhana (45) and Shafali Verma (87), followed by Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues (24) adding 62 runs.
India's innings was further strengthened by a 52-run partnership between captain Harmanpreet Kaur (20) and Deepti Sharma. The final surge came from Deepti (58) and Richa Ghosh (34), while Ayabonga Khaka led South Africa's bowling with figures of 3/58.
South Africa's chase began with a fifty-run opening stand, but Tazmin Brits (23) fell first. Despite captain Laura Wolvaardt's impressive batting, Shafali Verma's bowling (2/36) and Shree Charani's efforts reduced South Africa to 148/5.
Wolvaardt (101) and Annerie Dercksen (37) mounted pressure on India with a 61-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Wolvaardt continued her outstanding form following her 169 against England in the semifinal.
The game's momentum shifted when Deepti Sharma removed both set batters, leaving South Africa struggling at 221/8. Deepti made history as the first Indian woman to take a four-wicket haul in a World Cup final.
Deepti completed her five-wicket haul, securing India's historic first World Cup victory as South Africa were dismissed for 246 runs.
Mandhana's remarkable World Cup campaign saw her break Mithali Raj 's record for the best performance by an Indian batter in a World Cup, averaging 54.25 across nine innings with one century and two fifties, including a top score of 109.
Click here to watch Smriti Mandhana’s emotional speech after World Cup win
"Every World Cup we have gone into, there have been so many heartbreaks for all of us. But we always believed that we had a bigger responsibility - not just to win, but to keep growing women's cricket," Mandhana said during the post-match interview.
"To finally lift the World Cup today - I will take those 45 sleepless nights any day for this moment. That last World Cup was definitely tough for all of us to take. But after that, we had a clear focus - to get fitter, stronger, and better in every area. And honestly, what is special about this team - and no one really talks about it - is how much we stuck together. Everyone supported each other, through good days and bad. We genuinely celebrated each other's success. The team environment this time... it was just so positive, so connected. That has been the biggest difference, I think," she added.
After South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl, India posted a formidable total of 298/7 in their 50 overs. The innings featured a century partnership between Mandhana (45) and Shafali Verma (87), followed by Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues (24) adding 62 runs.
India's innings was further strengthened by a 52-run partnership between captain Harmanpreet Kaur (20) and Deepti Sharma. The final surge came from Deepti (58) and Richa Ghosh (34), while Ayabonga Khaka led South Africa's bowling with figures of 3/58.
South Africa's chase began with a fifty-run opening stand, but Tazmin Brits (23) fell first. Despite captain Laura Wolvaardt's impressive batting, Shafali Verma's bowling (2/36) and Shree Charani's efforts reduced South Africa to 148/5.
Wolvaardt (101) and Annerie Dercksen (37) mounted pressure on India with a 61-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Wolvaardt continued her outstanding form following her 169 against England in the semifinal.
The game's momentum shifted when Deepti Sharma removed both set batters, leaving South Africa struggling at 221/8. Deepti made history as the first Indian woman to take a four-wicket haul in a World Cup final.
Deepti completed her five-wicket haul, securing India's historic first World Cup victory as South Africa were dismissed for 246 runs.
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