India Crowned Women’s World Champions: Shafali Verma Delivers a Fairytale Final
PakkaHyderabadi 
Shafali Verma celebrates India’s first-ever Women’s World Cup title triumph after a match-winning performance in the final.
The wait is finally over — Indian women’s cricket has reached the summit of world sport. In a historic night that will echo across generations, India lifted their maiden Women’s World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final.
What made the night even more remarkable was the fairytale arc of Shafali Verma. Just a week ago, she wasn’t even in India’s World Cup squad. Last night, she stood at the centre of the biggest moment in Indian women’s cricket. Five years after the heartbreak of the 2020 T20 World Cup final at a packed MCG — where her early dismissal triggered India’s painful collapse — Shafali scripted the most poetic redemption.
This time, she didn’t just turn up. She ruled.
Shafali smashed a blazing 87 to give India a dream start, and later stunned South Africa with two crucial wickets (2/36). Her all-round brilliance earned her the Player of the Match, placing her alongside legends like Mohinder Amarnath, Irfan Pathan, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli — iconic Indian names who stepped up on the biggest stage.
Redemption for Harmanpreet’s India
For India, this title has been years in the making. They came close — painfully close — in 2005, 2017 and 2020. But under Harmanpreet Kaur’s gritty leadership, India finally crossed the line and turned silver memories into golden history. This victory isn’t just a trophy — it’s a turning point.
South Africa Fought, Wolvaardt Shone
South Africa didn’t go down without a fight. Captain Laura Wolvaardt struck a classy century — her second in a row — keeping her side in the chase despite India’s consistent strikes.
A superb run-out by Amanjot Kaur broke the opening stand, followed by a fiery spell where Shree Charani and Shafali picked key wickets. Wolvaardt kept resisting, adding a crucial partnership with Annerie Dercksen, but Deepti Sharma and Amanjot sealed the pressure moments. A juggling catch by Amanjot finally sent Wolvaardt back — and with her, South Africa’s hopes.
A Batting Masterclass in Tough Conditions
Earlier, rain delays and stop-start play couldn’t dent India’s momentum. Shafali and Smriti Mandhana launched fireworks upfront, racing to 50 inside eight overs — the fastest in any women’s World Cup final. Their 100-run opening stand was India’s first ever in a World Cup knockout.
Mandhana made a stylish 45, and Jemimah Rodrigues held one end for a fighting 24, but India briefly lost momentum in the middle. Harmanpreet’s patient 20 and a crucial 52-run stand with Deepti ensured India didn’t slide. Then came Richa Ghosh — fearless as always — smashing 34 off 24 balls to lift the total.
Deepti played the perfect anchor, scoring a steady 58 off 58 balls to drag India to a commanding 298, the second-highest total in a women’s World Cup final, behind Australia’s 356 in 2022.
A New Era Begins
As the final wicket fell, the celebrations began — not just in the stadium, but across a billion hearts. This wasn’t just a win. It was a moment that will inspire little girls across India to pick up a bat, a ball, and believe.
Shafali Verma didn’t just redeem herself — she opened a new chapter for Indian cricket.
India are world champions.
And this time, the world is watching.
