Mumbai (Maharashtra): International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah hailed Team India for their historic maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title, praising the players’ grit, resolve, and skill that inspired an entire nation. He also lauded the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for key reforms — including pay parity, increased investment, coaching revamp, and the Women’s Premier League (WPL) — which have strengthened India’s women’s cricket ecosystem.
Highlighting the progress made in recent years, Shah said that initiatives like equal match fees for men and women and the launch of the WPL have started to bear fruit, culminating in India’s long-awaited World Cup triumph.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Shah wrote:
“The @BCCIWomen’s march towards its first @cricketworldcup has been nothing short of spectacular. While the grit, resolve, and skills of the Indian team have inspired the whole nation, we must acknowledge the role of key policy decisions taken by the @BCCI — increased investment, pay parity with male cricketers, overhaul of the coaching staff, and big-match temperament nurtured under the @wplt20 spotlight. Congratulations to Harmanpreet Kaur and the entire Indian squad for this historic achievement!”
Nita Ambani, founder and chairperson of the Reliance Foundation, also expressed immense pride in the team’s success, saying the victory had made the entire nation swell with pride.
“At the stroke of midnight, our girls have won the first-ever ICC World Championship. You have made the whole nation proud with your courage, conviction, and confidence. Thank you, thank you, dhanyavad — Jai Hind,” Ambani said in her statement.
Match Summary:
South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first. Openers Smriti Mandhana (45 off 58) and Shafali Verma (87 off 78) set the tone with a solid century stand. Jemimah Rodrigues added 24 runs in a 62-run partnership with Shafali, helping India reach 166/2. Contributions from Harmanpreet Kaur (20), Deepti Sharma (58 off 58), and Richa Ghosh (34 off 24) powered India to 298/7 in 50 overs.
For South Africa, Ayabonga Khaka picked up 3/58.
In reply, South Africa began positively, with Tazmin Brits (23) and Laura Wolvaardt leading the chase. Despite Wolvaardt’s brilliant century (101 off 98), regular breakthroughs from Shafali Verma (2/36) and Deepti Sharma (5/39) derailed the innings. Deepti’s sensational five-wicket haul — the first by an Indian woman in a World Cup final — sealed the deal as India bowled out South Africa for 246, clinching a 52-run victory and their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup title.
