In a moment that will forever be etched in the annals of Indian cricket history, the Women in Blue finally broke their World Cup drought, claiming their maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title with a commanding 52-run victory over South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The 2025 World Cup final witnessed extraordinary performances from Shafali Varma and Deepti Sharma, who emerged as the architects of India’s historic triumph.
Table of Contents
The Foundation: Shafali Varma’s Explosive 87
After a two-hour rain delay, India was asked to bat first in conditions that would prove challenging for both teams. What followed was a masterclass in aggressive yet calculated batting from Shafali Varma, who announced her return to the international stage in the most emphatic manner possible.
Opening Partnership Excellence
| Partnership Details | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Opening Stand | 104 runs between Shafali Varma and Smriti Mandhana |
| Strike Rate | Nearly 7 runs per over |
| Shafali’s Contribution | 87 off 78 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes) |
| Smriti’s Support | 45 off 58 balls |
| Tournament Record | Highest powerplay total for India in 2025 World Cup |
Shafali Varma, who was drafted into the squad only before the semifinals following Pratika Rawal’s injury, continued her fairytale return with a scintillating knock that included seven boundaries and two maximums. This was her first ODI fifty in over three years, making her comeback story even more remarkable.
Deepti Sharma: The Complete Match-Winner
While Shafali Varma laid the foundation with the bat, Deepti Sharma emerged as the complete match-winner with stellar contributions in both innings. Her all-round brilliance became the defining factor in India’s maiden 2025 World Cup victory.
Deepti’s Batting Heroics
After the early dismissals of key batsmen, Deepti Sharma anchored India’s innings with a composed 58 off 58 balls. Her 18th ODI half-century came at a crucial juncture when India needed stability after losing wickets at regular intervals in the middle overs.
South Africa’s Fightback and India’s Response
South Africa, led by the experienced Ayabonga Khaka, fought back brilliantly to restrict India below the psychological 300-mark. Khaka’s figures of 3/58 from nine overs showcased her class, while spinners Nonkululeko Mlaba and Chloe Tryon applied the brakes during the crucial middle overs.
India’s Final Total Breakdown
| Batting Position | Player | Score | Balls Faced | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opener | Shafali Varma | 87 | 78 | Foundation partnership |
| Opener | Smriti Mandhana | 45 | 58 | Solid support |
| Middle Order | Jemimah Rodrigues | 24 | – | Brief resistance |
| Captain | Harmanpreet Kaur | 20 | – | Quick cameo |
| All-rounder | Deepti Sharma | 58 | 58 | Anchoring knock |
| Wicket-keeper | Richa Ghosh | 34 | 24 | Late acceleration |
| Final Total | India | 298/7 | 50 overs | Competitive target |
The Chase: South Africa’s Valiant Effort
Chasing 299 for their maiden 2025 World Cup title, South Africa began their pursuit with determination. Captain Laura Wolvaardt led from the front with a magnificent century, becoming the tournament’s leading run-scorer with over 550 runs. However, her heroic 101 off 98 balls lacked the crucial support from the other end.
The Deepti Sharma Show with the Ball
The second innings belonged entirely to Deepti Sharma, who produced a bowling masterclass that will be remembered for generations. Her remarkable figures of 5/39 not only dismantled South Africa’s batting lineup but also sealed India’s historic 2025 World Cup triumph.
Shafali Varma’s Golden Arm
In a performance that showcased her versatility, Shafali Varma also made crucial contributions with the ball. Her part-time bowling proved to be the game-changer as she claimed two vital wickets, including the dismissals of Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp at crucial junctures.
Record-Breaking Achievement
Shafali Varma became the first player in 2025 World Cup history to score a fifty and take two wickets in a final, cementing her status as the find of the tournament.
The Collapse: From 209/5 to 246 All Out
The turning point of the 2025 World Cup final came when South Africa, seemingly in control at 209/5, suffered a dramatic collapse. Deepti Sharma’s breakthrough dismissal of Annerie Dercksen triggered a stunning batting collapse that saw the Proteas lose their last five wickets for just 37 runs.
Fall of Wickets Analysis
| Wicket | Batsman | Score | Bowler | Match Situation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Tazmin Brits | Early | Renuka Singh | Early breakthrough |
| 2nd | Anneke Bosch | – | Radha Yadav | Building pressure |
| 3rd | Sune Luus | 25 | Shafali Varma | Key partnership broken |
| 4th | Marizanne Kapp | Low | Shafali Varma | Golden arm strikes |
| 5th | Sinalo Jafta | 16 | Deepti Sharma | Momentum shift |
| 6th-10th | Lower Order | – | Deepti Sharma | Match-sealing spell |
Historical Significance of the 2025 World Cup Victory
India’s maiden 2025 World Cup triumph represents more than just a cricketing achievement; it symbolizes the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and the growth of women’s cricket in the country. The victory comes after several near-misses and heartbreaks in previous tournaments.
Tournament Statistics
- Total Matches Played: 9
- Matches Won: 8
- Losses: 1
- Leading Run-scorer: Smriti Mandhana (434 runs)
- Leading Wicket-taker: Deepti Sharma (15 wickets)
- Player of the Final: Deepti Sharma
- Venue: DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
The Perfect Team Performance
The 2025 World Cup final showcased India’s depth and resilience. From Smriti Mandhana’s consistent run-scoring throughout the tournament to Harmanpreet Kaur’s astute captaincy, every member of the squad contributed to this historic achievement.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s Leadership
Under Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership, India displayed remarkable consistency throughout the 2025 World Cup campaign. Her tactical acumen, particularly the decision to introduce Shafali Varma’s bowling at the right moment, proved crucial in the final.
The Road to Glory: 2025 World Cup Journey
India’s path to 2025 World Cup glory wasn’t without its challenges. The team showed incredible character in crucial moments, particularly in the semifinal against defending champions Australia, where Jemimah Rodrigues played a match-winning knock to set up the final showdown.
The victory represents the perfect blend of experience and youth, with veterans like Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma combining beautifully with emerging talents like Shafali Varma and Richa Ghosh.
This maiden 2025 World Cup victory will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of female cricketers across India and establish the team as a force to be reckoned with in international cricket. The images of the team celebrating with the trophy at the DY Patil Stadium will remain etched in the memories of cricket fans forever.
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FAQs
When and where did India win their maiden 2025 World Cup?
India won their first-ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup on November 2, 2025, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final.
What were Shafali Varma’s key contributions in the 2025 World Cup final?
Shafali Varma scored a brilliant 87 off 78 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes, and also took 2 crucial wickets, becoming the first player to achieve this double in a World Cup final.
How did Deepti Sharma perform in the 2025 World Cup final?
Deepti Sharma was the Player of the Final with an all-round performance – scoring 58 runs with the bat and taking 5 wickets for 39 runs to seal India’s victory.
What was the margin of victory in the 2025 World Cup final?
India defeated South Africa by 52 runs, successfully defending their total of 298/7 as South Africa was bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs.
Who was the leading run-scorer for India in the 2025 World Cup?
Smriti Mandhana was India’s leading run-scorer in the 2025 World Cup with 434 runs in nine matches, setting a new record for highest aggregate by an Indian in World Cup history.
