The Indian team has finally become ODI World Champion for the first time after a long wait of 52 years. India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the 2025 World Cup final. In the title clash held at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, the Indian team, playing first, had scored 298 runs on the scoreboard. In reply, Laura Woolfart kept the South African team’s hopes alive by scoring a century. He played an inning of 101 runs. But the lethal bowling of Shefali Verma and Deepti Sharma made an important contribution in making India the world champion for the first time.

The Women’s World Cup was started in 1973, but till now the Indian team had never been able to achieve the title of world champion. Ultimately, Team India has created history under the captaincy of Harmanpreet Kaur. Team India had earlier played the finals in 2005 and 2017, but the year 2025 has written a new chapter in the history of Indian women’s cricket.

Shefali ‘The Great’ Verma

Shefali Verma had come to play in the knockout stage of this World Cup as a replacement. Who knew that she would become the hero of India’s historic victory in the final. He played a memorable inning of 87 runs in the final match. Captain Harmanpreet played a big gamble by handing him the ball. Shefali proved to be a ‘surprise package’. First he broke the big partnership that was developing by dismissing Soon Luce. He also dismissed Marijne Kapp.

Deepti Sharma’s paw

The contribution of Shefali Verma in batting was of Deepti Sharma in bowling. He took 5 wickets for only 39 runs in 9.3 overs. He also dismissed South African captain Laura Woolfart, who was continuously increasing the problems for Team India during her century inning of 101 runs. Wolfhart kept fighting alone, but she did not get support from the other end.

New champion after 25 years

Before this, only Australia, England and New Zealand could win the Women’s ODI World Cup trophy. The last time women’s ODI cricket got a new champion was in the year 2000, when New Zealand became the champion. Before that and even after that, only Australia and England have become champions. Now after 25 years, women’s ODI cricket has got a new champion in the form of India.