World champions India! Harmanpreet Kaur and Co end wait, lift maiden Women’s World Cup title

It is India's first ever Women's World Cup title.

India ended decades of hurt to lift their first Women’s World Cup title in front of their home fans on Sunday. Facing South Africa in the final, Harmanpreet Kaur defended 298 with an all-round bowling display at the DY Patil Stadium. Shafali Verma was the star of the show, scoring 89 before scalping two crucial wickets in the middle overs.

Deepti Sharma, Shafali Verma lead India to maiden World Cup win

Chasing 299, South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt led the visitors’ charge with a fine knock. The openers put on a 51-run stand for the opening wicket. India only got a look in after a top-notch direct hit to send Tazmin Brits packing.

Anneke Bosch washing dismissed for a duck as India turned the screws on. However, Wolvaardt continued to anchor the Proteas chase with Sune Luus for company.

With South Africa going from strength to strength, Harmanpreet Kaur turned to her trump card, Shafali Verma. The India opener with her part-time leg spin dismissed both Luus and Kapp to put India in the driver’s seat.

Wolvaardt eventually smashed her second consecutive century to keep the Proteas in the hunt. Some tight fielding and bowling meant that the run rate rose above 8. South Africa eventually kept losing wickets trying to keep up with the chase. Deepti Sharma picked up a five-wicket haul to seal a 52-run win.

Earlier in the day, Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and put India to bat first. Despite a two hour delay, a full match was commissioned with India going unchanged from their semifinal line up. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma got off to a breezy start, scoring at more than 6 an over in the first 10 overs.

Mandhana failed to convert a good start which was the story of the Indian innings. Verma top scored with 87 but Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur both three away starts after settling in. With India’s batting order rather thin, Deepti Sharma kept rotating strike and holding anchor.

Sharma scored a run a ball 58, aided by a late cameo by Richa Ghosh. India only managed 298, which seemed about 20 runs short. However, the surface started to slow down and no dew meant that it was a tough ask for the Proteas.

“I’m just so grateful for this crowd. They have been amazing. Thank you, everyone, for supporting us through all the ups and downs. And a special thanks to my dad. I almost forgot him, our selectors, and everyone back home. Thank you so much. Even after those three losses, we always had that belief. We spoke about it after the last game. We knew this team had something special to turn things around. Credit to every single member. They stayed positive, focused, and gave everything day and night. This team truly deserves to be here,” India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said after the match.