Women in blue bring home World Cup, script history

The Indian women’s cricket team brought home the ODI Cricket World Cup trophy for the first time after a 52-win victory over South Africa last night.

Twenty-one-year-old all-rounder Shafali Verma proved her batting and bowling prowess as she scored 87 out of India’s total of 289 for 7. She also picked up crucial wickets to restrict the South Africans to 246 in front of the packed DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

For India, Deepti Sharma (5/39) and young Shree Charani (1/48) performed under extreme pressure to usher in the most memorable day for women's cricket in the country.

It was a sweet victory after India came close twice to winning the World Cup, in 2005 and 2017 when they lost to Australia and England respectively.

Rohit Sharma, who carries the scars of November 19, 2023 when the men’s team lost to Australia in the final, was watching the final from the stands with a prayer on his lips that women's captain Harmanpreet Kaur doesn't meet his fate.

Kaur latched on to Nadine de Klerk's offering while back pedalling at extra cover; cricket commentator and former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop fittingly called the moment "inspiring generations".

It couldn't have been more poetic with AR Rahman's rendition of 'Vande Mataram' reverberating across the stands.

For head coach Amol Muzumdar, the 'Nearly Man' of Indian cricket, who couldn't wear the whites that he richly deserved, the global triumph with the women's national team would certainly heal the wounds he has carried for years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian women's cricket team for winning its ever World Cup.

"A spectacular win by the Indian team in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Finals. Their performance in the final was marked by great skill and confidence," he said in a post on X.

"The team showed exceptional teamwork and tenacity throughout the tournament. Congratulations to our players. This historic win will motivate future champions to take up sports," Modi added.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also congratulated the team, saying the women cricketers have won hearts across the nation.

"Congratulations to Team India on clinching the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025!What a display of courage, skill, and belief. You've not just won a trophy, you've won hearts across the nation. Every Indian is proud of you! 'Saare Jahan se accha Hindustan humaara'. A golden moment for Indian cricket and for women in sports!" he said on X.

(With inputs from PTI)

(Photo credit: ICC on ‘X’)