Sports Desk :
India secured its first-ever Women’s Cricket World Cup title on Sunday, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in front of a capacity crowd at Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium. The victory marks a defining moment in the country’s sporting history, placing the women’s team alongside India’s four men’s World Cup-winning sides.
The final, played before more than 45,000 spectators, saw India post an imposing total of 298 for 7. Opener Shafali Verma led the innings with a dynamic 87 off 59 balls, supported by Deepti Sharma’s composed 58 from 58 deliveries. South Africa’s pursuit of the target was anchored by captain Laura Wolvaardt’s century, but consistent breakthroughs by India’s bowlers, including Sharma’s decisive 5 for 39, ended the visitors’ innings at 246 in 45.3 overs.
The win was celebrated across the country, with fans taking to the streets in Delhi and other major cities, waving flags and setting off fireworks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team, calling the victory “historic” and stating that it would encourage young athletes across the nation to pursue sports with renewed passion and determination.
Former cricketers hailed the triumph as a transformative moment for women’s cricket in India. Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar drew parallels between the 2025 victory and India’s first men’s World Cup win in 1983, noting that the earlier success had inspired generations to take up the sport. “Today, our women’s cricket team has done something truly special,” he stated, emphasizing that the achievement would motivate countless young girls to pursue cricket professionally.
Men’s team stalwart Virat Kohli described the accomplishment as “an inspiration for generations to come,” commending the team for their “fearless cricket and belief throughout the tournament.”
India’s journey to the title was marked by resilience and recovery. After suffering three consecutive defeats in the league stage, the team regrouped to advance through the knockout rounds with commanding performances. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur credited the victory to the team’s self-belief and focus. “We weren’t looking to the left or right. We were only looking at our main end goal,” she said during the post-match press conference.
The presence of several members from India’s first Women’s World Cup squad of 1978, including then-captain Diana Edulji, added historical resonance to the occasion. Edulji and her former teammates witnessed the moment India lifted the trophy, celebrating a milestone that was decades in the making.
The scenes in Mumbai stood in sharp contrast to 2005, when India’s runner-up finish in the Women’s World Cup drew limited public attention. The 2025 victory, by contrast, was met with national jubilation, reflecting a growing recognition of women’s sports in India.
Cricket analysts observed that the win could significantly influence the future of women’s cricket in the country. With increased investment, improved infrastructure, and the growing popularity of the Women’s Premier League, the triumph is expected to accelerate grassroots participation and attract broader media coverage.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s name now joins the ranks of India’s World Cup-winning captains, including Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma. The accomplishment not only reinforces India’s status as a global cricket powerhouse but also symbolizes a broader cultural shift toward greater inclusivity and recognition of women athletes.
As celebrations continued into Monday, cricket administrators emphasized that the focus would now turn toward sustaining the momentum. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to announce plans for expanded domestic competitions, enhanced training facilities, and youth development initiatives to capitalize on the landmark achievement.
The victory at DY Patil Stadium thus represents more than just a sporting triumph—it signifies a turning point for Indian women’s cricket and a source of enduring national pride.