In a historic breakthrough for Indian cricket, the national women’s team captured their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday night. The landmark victory sparked jubilant celebrations nationwide, as BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia announced a ?51 crore reward for the players and support staff, calling the triumph a “monumental achievement that will elevate Indian women’s cricket to unprecedented heights.”

IPL chairman Arun Dhumal hailed the feat, drawing a parallel with India’s legendary 1983 men’s World Cup win. “It’s a red-letter day for Indian women’s cricket. What Kapil Dev’s team did in 1983, our women have recreated today in Mumbai. This victory will inspire generations and take the women’s game to a whole new level,” Dhumal told IANS.

Batting first, India set a commanding 298/7, built on Shafali Verma’s sparkling 87, Deepti Sharma’s steady 58, and vital knocks from Smriti Mandhana (45) and Richa Ghosh (34). Mandhana and Verma’s fluent 100-run opening stand laid the perfect foundation before South Africa fought back to restrict the total just shy of 300.

Chasing 299, the Proteas began brightly through Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt, but a sharp run-out by Amanjot Kaur triggered India’s resurgence. Teen pace sensation Sree Charani and the all-round brilliance of Shafali Verma dented South Africa’s chase, before Deepti Sharma’s superb 5/39 dismantled the middle order.

Despite Wolvaardt’s valiant 101, South Africa were bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs, sealing India’s first-ever World Cup crown. As the players wept with joy and the tricolour soared over the stands, India’s women not only lifted a trophy—they ushered in a new era for Indian cricket.

In a historic breakthrough for Indian cricket, the national women’s team captured their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday night. The landmark victory sparked jubilant celebrations nationwide, as BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia announced a ?51 crore reward for the players and support staff, calling the triumph a “monumental achievement that will elevate Indian women’s cricket to unprecedented heights.”

IPL chairman Arun Dhumal hailed the feat, drawing a parallel with India’s legendary 1983 men’s World Cup win. “It’s a red-letter day for Indian women’s cricket. What Kapil Dev’s team did in 1983, our women have recreated today in Mumbai. This victory will inspire generations and take the women’s game to a whole new level,” Dhumal told IANS.

Batting first, India set a commanding 298/7, built on Shafali Verma’s sparkling 87, Deepti Sharma’s steady 58, and vital knocks from Smriti Mandhana (45) and Richa Ghosh (34). Mandhana and Verma’s fluent 100-run opening stand laid the perfect foundation before South Africa fought back to restrict the total just shy of 300.

Chasing 299, the Proteas began brightly through Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt, but a sharp run-out by Amanjot Kaur triggered India’s resurgence. Teen pace sensation Sree Charani and the all-round brilliance of Shafali Verma dented South Africa’s chase, before Deepti Sharma’s superb 5/39 dismantled the middle order.

Despite Wolvaardt’s valiant 101, South Africa were bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs, sealing India’s first-ever World Cup crown. As the players wept with joy and the tricolour soared over the stands, India’s women not only lifted a trophy—they ushered in a new era for Indian cricket.