Navi Mumbai: The Indian women’s cricket team etched its name in history by clinching its maiden World Cup title with a commanding 52-run victory over South Africa, scripting a golden chapter in the nation’s sporting legacy at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday.
Shafali Verma, the 21-year-old sensation who was not even in the reserves a week ago, produced a performance to remember — smashing 87 runs in India’s total of 298 for 7 and later taking two crucial wickets to help bowl out the Proteas Women for 246.
Veteran all-rounder Deepti Sharma (5/39) and youngster Shree Charani (1/48) rose to the occasion under immense pressure, steering India to its most cherished day in women’s cricket.
If June 25, 1983 marked a watershed moment for Indian men’s cricket when Kapil Dev’s team defeated the mighty West Indies at Lord’s, then November 2, 2025, will forever be remembered as the defining day for Indian women’s cricket.
Among the spectators was Rohit Sharma, carrying the pain of the 2023 men’s final defeat, silently hoping that captain Harmanpreet Kaur wouldn’t share his fate.
For Harmanpreet — the torchbearer of Indian women’s cricket, who endured the heartbreak of losing the 2017 final — this victory was deeply personal. Her teammates ensured history would not repeat itself.
As she safely held on to Nadine de Klerk’s catch at extra cover, commentator Ian Bishop’s words — “inspiring generations” — perfectly captured the emotion of the moment, amplified by A.R. Rahman’s Vande Mataram echoing across the packed stands.
South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt fought valiantly, scoring a magnificent 101 off 98 balls, but her lone brilliance couldn’t deny India destiny’s call.
For head coach Amol Muzumdar — long seen as the ‘Nearly Man’ of Indian cricket who never donned the Test whites — this triumph was a fitting redemption, healing old wounds through a world title with the women’s team.
This victory goes far beyond cricket. Its true social impact will unfold over the coming decades. Eleven extraordinary women, led by their fiery captain, have become not just champions, but icons — symbols of hope for every young girl from Kashmir to Kanyakumari who dares to dream, knowing now that the sky truly is the limit.
