NAVI MUMBAI, India (AP) – India won the Women’s Cricket World Cup for the first time on Sunday with a 52-run victory over South Africa on an all-round stellar performance from Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma.
Opening batsman Verma, who was recalled to the team only as an injury cover for the final, scored a career-best 87 off 78 balls as the tournament co-hosts reached 298-7 in 50 overs after losing the toss and being sent to bat.
After captain Laura Wolvaardt was out for 101, South Africa were out for 246 in 45.3 overs, effectively ending their chase. Spinner Sharma took the last wicket of the match, returning a bowling figure of 5-39 in 9.3 overs.
“We have been waiting for this moment and now this moment has come,” said India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, reflecting on the victory after losing twice in the final. “Now I want to make this a habit.”
India were the last of the four teams to reach the semi-finals, but defeated defending champions and seven-time champions Australia by five wickets to reach the final. South Africa defeated four-time champions England by 125 points to reach the final for the first time.
With the home victory, India clinched their first major title in women’s cricket. It was Harmanpreet Kaur’s team’s first maiden title since 2000, when New Zealand ended years of dominance by Australia and England.
player of match
Verma, who was drafted last week to replace the injured Pratika Rawal, went 2-36 with the ball and was named player of the match.
“God sent me to do something good and it reflected today,” said Verma, 21. “Today I just focused on running. My head was clear.”
tournament players
Before taking five wickets, Sharma, 58, played his third half-century in the tournament and helped India reach the second-highest total in a World Cup final after Australia vs England’s 356-5 in 2022.
She finished the tournament with 22 wickets and 215 runs in nine matches, earning her the honor of Player of the Tournament.
Sharma said of the final, “I had fun with both the bat and the ball.” “We were never relaxed, but we were calm. I dedicate this trophy to my parents.”
wolwaard barrel
Thanks to his impressive performance in the semi-finals, Wolvaardt made a great century. She scored 571 runs at an average of 71.37, easily becoming the tournament’s highest run-scorer.
Calm start
Chasing a record of 299, South Africa got off to a calm start under immense pressure from medium pacer Renuka Singh.
Wolvaardt shared 51 runs in the first-wicket stand, but Amanjot Kaur’s direct throws ran out and Tazmin Blitz got 23 runs in 10 overs.
Anneke Bosch was bowled for a duck before Wahlwaardt reached his half-century after 45 balls. She added 52 points off 51 balls and was up against Sune Ruth who scored 25 points.
India lost the review out of desperation to sack Wolvaardt, and then bet on Verma’s gentle off-breaker.
The ploy was yet another double whammy, with Verma picking up two wickets in six deliveries to leave South Africa in the lurch at 123-4 in 22.1 overs. She sent Ruth back with an easy return catch followed by Marisanne Cupp (4).
Wolvaardt tried to continue his pursuit through partnerships with Sinalo Hafta (16 goals) and Annelie Derksen, who scored 35 points. In doing so, she reached her century in 96 balls.
Sharma bowled Derksen and in the 42nd over for a total of 220-7, Wolvath was caught on the cowl to end South Africa’s chances.
India sets challenging goals
Verma played a key role in setting the Proteas a challenging target after the final was delayed for two hours due to rain.
She hit seven fours and two sixes and shared the opening tally of 104 with Smriti Mandhana (45).
After Chloe Tryon dismissed Mandhana in the 18th over, Verma combined with Jemima Rodriguez (24) and added another 62 before both were out.
At 171-3 in 29.4 overs, skipper Harmanpreet tried to regain momentum but was bowled by Nonkhululeko Mhlaba in the 39th over. She could only score 20 runs, but together with Sharma they scored 52 runs off 56 balls.
Sharma steadied the innings with 58 runs-a-ball, including three fours and a six, and scored a crucial 47 runs for six wickets with Richa Ghosh, helping set the winning total.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India suspended the tournament with a social media post reflecting on the historic victory, with the word “Champion” at the top of the congratulatory message.
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