🏆 🇿🇦 South Africa’s Chase Begins — Pressure from the First Ball
When South Africa walked out to bat under the floodlights at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the pressure was visible. Chasing 280 in a World Cup final is no easy task — especially against a roaring Indian crowd of nearly 90,000 fans. Every boundary hit by the Proteas was met with silence; every Indian wicket triggered a thunderous roar that shook the stands.
Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, South Africa’s trusted openers, started cautiously. The first few overs were all about seeing off the new ball, as Renuka Singh Thakur and Meghna Singh bowled tight lines outside off-stump.
⚡ Powerplay Battle (Overs 1–10): India Takes Early Control
South Africa’s plan was clear — preserve wickets, accelerate later. But India had other ideas.
In the 5th over, Renuka Singh produced a magical delivery that nipped back in and trapped Tazmin Brits lbw for just 8. The first breakthrough brought the stadium alive. The Proteas were 22/1, and suddenly, the pressure was mounting.
Wolvaardt tried to stabilize the innings with elegant drives, but her partner Sune Luus was undone by a brilliant slower ball from Pooja Vastrakar. At 45/2 in the 10th over, India had already tilted the match in their favor.
🧠 Middle Overs (Overs 11–35): The Kapp-Driven Resistance
Just when India looked in complete control, Marizanne Kapp walked out with fierce determination. Known for her fighting spirit, Kapp decided to counterattack. She played positively, rotating strike and dispatching anything loose to the fence.
Laura Wolvaardt found her rhythm too — cutting and pulling confidently. Together, they built a 92-run partnership that frustrated Indian bowlers and silenced the crowd.
In the 25th over, Wolvaardt brought up her fifty — her fourth of the tournament. The scoreboard read 137/2, and South Africa looked poised to challenge India’s total.
That’s when Harmanpreet Kaur’s tactical brilliance came into play. She brought back spin from both ends — Deepti Sharma and Rajeshwari Gayakwad. The change worked instantly.
Deepti, flighting the ball beautifully, got Wolvaardt (63) stumped by Richa Ghosh, breaking the crucial stand. India roared back.
🔥 Turning Point: The Magical Over from Deepti Sharma
At 142/3, the match was hanging in the balance. Kapp continued to fight, but pressure from spin built up. Then came the 31st over — a moment fans will never forget.
Deepti Sharma bowled a dream over:
1st ball: dot
2nd ball: a mistimed loft by Tryon — caught at long-on!
4th ball: Nadine de Klerk bowled through the gate!
Two wickets in one over — South Africa were suddenly 145/5, and India could smell victory.
💪 The Final Stand: Kapp vs India
Marizanne Kapp was not giving up. With her trademark calmness under fire, she continued to play smart cricket, punishing the loose deliveries and keeping hopes alive. Her half-century came up in just 60 balls.
She found support from Chloe Tryon, who struck a few boundaries before falling to Renuka Singh’s clever off-cutter. At 189/6, the required run rate had climbed to 8.5 per over — steep but not impossible.
The Indian fielding was electric — direct hits, diving saves, and sharp catching. Harmanpreet led like a warrior, constantly motivating her team, even as nerves crept in during the final 10 overs.
💥 The Climax: India’s Bowling Brilliance Under Pressure
With 60 runs needed off 42 balls, South Africa still had a glimmer of hope. Kapp was on 72*, and every run was cheered by the small cluster of Proteas fans in the stands.
But India had other plans.
Over 44: Renuka Singh Strikes
Renuka came back into the attack and bowled a deadly yorker that crashed into Kapp’s stumps. The silence from the South African dugout said it all. Kapp’s 72 was a masterpiece, but it wasn’t enough to carry her side over the line.
The crowd erupted. India now needed just four wickets.
Overs 45–48: Deepti and Pooja Clean Up
Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar bowled with composure, mixing flight and pace perfectly. Ayabonga Khaka and Nonkululeko Mlaba offered brief resistance but could not keep up with the rising asking rate.
In the 48th over, Deepti bowled Khaka with a looping delivery that turned past her defense.
In the very next over, Pooja sealed the deal with a back-of-the-hand slower ball that caught Ismail off guard.
South Africa were bowled out for 243 in 48.3 overs.
🇮🇳 INDIA WIN THE ICC WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2025 BY 36 RUNS 🏆
The moment the last wicket fell, the entire stadium exploded with joy. Fireworks lit up the Ahmedabad sky as the Indian players sprinted onto the field, embracing each other with tears and laughter. After years of heartbreak and close finishes, India had finally captured their first-ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title.
Smriti Mandhana was named Player of the Match for her dazzling 128, while Deepti Sharma earned the Player of the Tournament award for her all-round brilliance.
📊 Final Match Summary
Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
India Women | 279/8 | 50.0 | |
South Africa Women | 243 all out | 48.3 | India won by 36 runs |
Top Performers:
Smriti Mandhana – 128 (112)
Harmanpreet Kaur – 45 (59)
Deepti Sharma – 3/34 (10)
Renuka Singh Thakur – 2/38 (9)
Marizanne Kapp – 72 (81)
Laura Wolvaardt – 63 (74)
🎉 Post-Match Scenes — Tears, Cheers, and Triumph
As the Indian flag soared high and fans chanted “Indiaaa! Indiaaa!”, players huddled around the pitch, overwhelmed by emotion. Harmanpreet Kaur, eyes moist, hugged Smriti Mandhana, whispering, “We finally did it.”
The stadium cameras captured the iconic moment — the Indian women lifting the trophy under a shower of golden confetti. The entire nation erupted in celebration. From Mumbai to Manipur, from Delhi to Dindigul — fireworks lit the sky as fans danced in joy.
Social media flooded with congratulatory posts from celebrities, cricketers, and political leaders.
The hashtag #INDWvSAWFinal and #WomenInBlue trended worldwide on X (formerly Twitter).
🗣️ What Players Said After the Match
Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain, India):
“This is not just our win; it’s for every girl who picked up a bat and dreamed big. We’ve worked for years to reach this moment. Today, women’s cricket has reached new heights.”
Smriti Mandhana (Player of the Match):
“It was emotional. We’ve lost close finals before. But today, we were determined not to repeat history. The crowd, the energy — it was unbelievable.”
Marizanne Kapp (South Africa):
“We fought till the end. Credit to India — they played outstanding cricket. This final will inspire young girls back home to believe that dreams are possible.”
📈 Records Broken in the Final
Smriti Mandhana became the first Indian woman to score a century in a World Cup final.
Deepti Sharma became the first spinner to take 3 wickets in a Women’s World Cup final since 2017.
The final recorded the highest viewership in women’s cricket history — over 300 million global viewers (broadcast + streaming).
India’s total of 279 was the third-highest total ever in a Women’s World Cup final.
🧡 The Symbolism of Victory
This triumph wasn’t just about cricket — it was about the message it sent. For decades, women’s cricket in India battled for visibility, funding, and recognition. Now, with this World Cup victory, the women’s team had become the heartbeat of Indian sports.
Schools, academies, and media outlets began to celebrate women cricketers as role models. Young girls across the nation started dreaming of wearing the blue jersey — proof that sports truly transcends gender.
🌍 Global Reactions
Cricket boards and legends across the world applauded India’s achievement.
Sachin Tendulkar tweeted: “From dreams to dominance — proud of our women in blue! Congratulations Team India on a historic victory.”
Mithali Raj, the pioneer of Indian women’s cricket, said: “This is what we always dreamed of — to see India lift that trophy. Every player in this squad has made the country proud.”
ICC President Greg Barclay called it “a landmark moment for women’s cricket globally.”
Even rival teams like Australia and England sent congratulatory messages — a testament to the respect India had earned worldwide.
📺 Where to Watch Highlights and Replays
For those who missed the live action, the full match highlights and extended presentation ceremony are available on:
Disney+ Hotstar (India)
JioCinema
ICC.tv (Worldwide streaming)
SuperSport (South Africa)
Sky Sports (UK)
You can also catch extended analysis, player interviews, and post-match shows on Star Sports Network, which covered the entire World Cup in multiple regional languages.
📅 What’s Next for Women’s Cricket
The 2025 Women’s World Cup final didn’t just end a tournament — it began a new era. The BCCI announced plans to expand the Women’s Premier League (WPL), attract more sponsorships, and host more international series at home.
Cricket experts believe that this victory will inspire a new generation of athletes. Sports academies across the country have already reported a surge in enrollment among young girls who want to play cricket professionally.
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