Harmanpreet Kaur Leads India to Historic First Women’s World Cup Victory
What an unforgettable night it was in Navi Mumbai, as India’s women’s cricket team, led by the ever-passionate Harmanpreet Kaur, lifted their first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup trophy. The DY Patil Stadium was packed to the brim, with over 45,000 fans staying till well past midnight to witness history being made. The energy was electric — every run was cheered, every wicket celebrated, and when the final South African batter fell, the entire stadium erupted into uncontainable joy.
India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in a commanding performance that felt like a moment years in the making. Batting first after a rain delay, India put up a strong total of 298 for 7 — the second-highest ever in a Women’s World Cup final. The foundation was laid by the young Shafali Verma, who smashed 87 off 78 balls, while Smriti Mandhana added a solid 45. Deepti Sharma, who would go on to take five wickets later, played a vital hand in the middle order with a fluent 58. Richa Ghosh provided the finishing touches, striking quick boundaries that ensured India crossed the crucial 290 mark.
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South Africa, playing their first-ever World Cup final, started their chase steadily. Captain Laura Wolvaardt played a brilliant innings of 101 off 98 balls — her second consecutive century in the tournament — but she ran out of partners as India’s bowlers kept chipping away. Deepti Sharma was the star with the ball, finishing with a five-wicket haul, while young Sree Charani and Shafali Verma also struck crucial blows. The Proteas were eventually bowled out for 246 in the 46th over.
For Harmanpreet Kaur, this victory meant everything. At 36, playing her fifth and final World Cup, she was visibly emotional — tears mixing with smiles as her teammates lifted her high during the trophy celebration. It was redemption for the heartbreaks of 2005 and 2017, when India came close but fell short. This time, they made sure the story ended differently.
After the win, Harmanpreet said, “This is the start. We wanted to break this barrier, and now we want to make winning a habit.” Her words echoed the confidence of a team that knows it’s just getting started. Former England cricketer Alex Hartley even remarked that India could become a “juggernaut” in women’s cricket, predicting a golden era ahead.
And perhaps she’s right — with stars like Mandhana, Deepti, Shafali, and a new generation of cricketers inspired by this triumph, Indian women’s cricket seems ready to dominate for years to come. The World Cup victory wasn’t just a sporting milestone; it was a moment of pride, passion, and proof that belief and hard work can indeed rewrite history.
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