#India Women World Cup final#India vs South Africa Women#Women’s Cricket India/sbkinews.in
In a thrilling display of grit, precision, and power, India’s women’s cricket team led by Harmanpreet Kaur scripted a remarkable chapter in the history of the ICC Women’s World Cup. Playing against South Africa in the grand finale at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, the Indian team posted a massive 298 runs for seven wickets—the second-highest total ever recorded in a Women’s World Cup final.
Opener Shefali Verma’s breathtaking knock of 87 runs and all-rounder Deepti Sharma’s composed innings of 58 laid the foundation for India’s towering total. The duo’s partnership not only lifted the team’s spirits but also etched their names in cricket history books. The highest-ever score in a World Cup final remains 356/5, achieved by Australia, but India’s effort was the best by any other team, underscoring their dominance and strategic brilliance.
As the final progressed, South Africa faced immense pressure in their chase. At the time this news was filed, they were struggling at 156 for five after 31 overs, requiring a steep run rate to stay in contention. The DY Patil crowd roared with every wicket, their chants resonating across the stands as India edged closer to a possible maiden title.
The rise of Indian women’s cricket
The women in blue entered the tournament with renewed determination and a dream to lift the trophy. Under Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership, the team took bolder risks, displayed tactical maturity, and exuded confidence rarely seen before in Indian women’s cricket. This spirit translated beautifully onto the field, where consistency, teamwork, and focus defined every match.
Shefali Verma showcased her attacking instincts early in the innings. Her stroke selection, impeccable timing, and effortless boundaries dismantled the South African pace attack. Partnering well with Deepti Sharma, she carried the Indian innings forward with poise. When Verma fell just 13 short of a century, the crowd gave her a standing ovation—an acknowledgment of one of the finest innings ever played in a World Cup final.
Deepti Sharma continued the momentum with her measured approach, anchoring the middle overs. Her understanding of the situation and ability to rotate the strike helped India maintain pressure on the opponents. Late fireworks from Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues added crucial runs, pushing India’s total close to the 300-mark—a psychological edge in finals historically decided by small margins.
Statistical milestones and historical context
In Women’s World Cup history, scores exceeding 250 in finals are exceedingly rare. India’s 298/7 not only became the second-highest total ever in a World Cup final but also a benchmark for teams aspiring to achieve batting excellence on cricket’s biggest stage.
The record for the highest successful run chase in a Women’s World Cup final stands at 166, achieved by England against New Zealand in 2009. Notably, no team has ever won the trophy while chasing a target above 200, which places India in a commanding position statistically.
This performance underscored India’s evolution as a cricketing powerhouse in women’s sports. The players’ discipline, fitness, and mental fortitude reflected the meticulous preparation that went into their World Cup journey. With this innings, India has firmly established itself among the elites, bridging the historical gap between them and traditional heavyweights like Australia and England.
#India Women World Cup final#India vs South Africa Women#Women’s Cricket India/sbkinews.in
The vision and leadership behind the success
Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership deserves special mention. Known for her aggressive yet composed captaincy, she orchestrated her side with tactical intelligence—rotating bowlers smartly, setting attacking fields, and instilling belief in young players. Her ability to remain calm under pressure became India’s greatest strength.
Behind her success lies the contribution of the coaching staff, analysts, and trainers who transformed India’s approach to modern cricket. The focus on fitness, data-driven strategy, and match simulations gave the team a competitive edge.
Off the field, the performance has inspired millions of young girls across India to dream bigger. The DY Patil Stadium witnessed not just a match, but a movement—a celebration of India’s daughters rewriting history in a domain long dominated by others.
What lies ahead
If India converts this monumental total into victory, it will mark their maiden Women’s World Cup triumph and redefine the legacy of Indian women’s cricket. Even without knowing the final outcome, the team has already achieved something extraordinary—proving that with resilience, preparation, and collective will, barriers can be broken, and records can be rewritten.
This innings will be remembered not just for the runs scored, but for what it symbolizes: the rise of a new era where Indian women’s cricket commands global respect. The roar of the crowd at DY Patil, the celebrations in dressing rooms, and the pride swelling across the nation signal something more significant than numbers—it’s about India’s unstoppable spirit.
For live scorecard updates and detailed coverage of the ICC Women’s World Cup final between India and South Africa, visit The Hindu.
For more inspiring sports highlights and top moments, visit our curated collection of the Top 25 Sports Highlights on SBKI News here.
