Cricket: Women’s World Cup 2025

After years of heartbreak, near-misses, and endless grit, Harmanpreet Kaur and her team have made history — India are World Champions.

The stadium is roaring, players are in tears, and across the country, millions are wide awake, soaking in the moment that generations of women cricketers dreamed of.

“This means everything. We’ve been waiting for this for so long,” said Harmanpreet, her voice breaking with emotion.

“We said this is the last day of the tournament, whatever we have, we give it all. Whether it’s your body, your energy, your last bit of strength, we play for each other.”

For Smriti Mandhana, the victory was about more than a trophy, it was about legacy.

Amanjot Kaur, beaming through disbelief, added, “This one’s for every woman watching, and for everyone who believed in us.”

From the early pioneers who played without recognition to the current generation that filled the stadium, this victory belongs to them all.

As coach Amol Muzumdar called it — a watershed moment, this win is more than just a sporting triumph.

It’s a declaration: Indian women’s cricket has arrived, and the world is watching.

A brilliant performance by @shafalisverma17, who set the tone with the bat and struck crucial blows with the ball.

@officialdeeptisharma delivered a complete all-round performance, steady with the bat and turning the match with 5 massive wickets.

@smriti_mandhana capped off an outstanding tournament, leading India’s charge with consistency, elegance and grit.

And @richa9105 batted with solid determination, holding the innings together when it mattered most.

Congratulations to Captain @imharmanpreet_kaur for leading with belief and composure and to Coach @amolmuzumdar for shaping a side that plays fearless, united and full of heart.

Is this what you call destiny?

Shafali was dropped after inconsistent performance. She was probably watching this World Cup on television. 

Then Pratika gets injured and she is back in the team. And she contributes both with bat and ball in the final to make it a dream comeback! 

Shafali masterstroke the highlight of India women’s cricket’s historic title win

Ten days ago, no one expected Shafali Verma to be anywhere near the World Cup final. Today, she shone with bat and – unexpectedly – with ball on a night Indian women’s cricket will never forget.

 

Boria Majumdar

 

She wasn’t even part of the squad, and was eventually called up in the most unfortunate circumstances when Pratika Rawal was injured. Call it divine providence or call it an absolute masterstroke, but Shafali Verma played the stellar hand in winning the Women’s World Cup for India. First with the bat, with a brilliant 87. An innings that was worth more than a 100. She kept the scoreboard moving and decidedly put the pressure on South Africa after India lost the toss yet again. A strong start was a must and Shafali and Smriti Mandhana ensured India got it. Some of her shots were brilliant and the best part was she did not give it away, something she had been guilty of in the past.

But then, with the bat, one expected her to do something at the top. Not so much with the ball. All tournament, Harmanpreet Kaur was called out for her captaincy. The Shafali move was the one that will be remembered forever. South Africa were going well when the skipper went to Shafali. And it was met with instant success. Two wickets in two, one of which was the legend Marizanne Kapp – that was when India got the match under control. And in that wicket, Richa Ghosh, who has been average at best as wicketkeeper, moved perfectly to take the catch down leg. It was the moment that summed up the match. Every aspect that India needed to improve – with the ball and on the field – was seen and, all of a sudden, the blue wave erupted at the DY Patil. This is not to forget the run-out by Amanjot Kaur that set the tone and her juggling catch of Laura Wolvaardt that finally put the seal on an unforgettable display.

This is a victory for the ages, and will change the game forever. Tomorrow morning, thousands will pick up the bat or ball and decide to become cricketers. Overnight, this sport will become a viable profession, and finally, women’s cricket has its own 1983 moment. The men weren’t able to get over the line in November 2023. The women did so in 2025. India will celebrate this for long, and a home World Cup win will take us back to that night of April 2, 2011. This is a night like no other for Harmanpreet, Smriti, Jemi and every player who played today. And the ones on the bench. They are now a cult that a billion will celebrate.

India crossed the 50-run mark in 6.3 overs and got to 64/0 in 10 overs and then went past 100 runs in 17.2 overs, reaching 102/0.

Deepti Sharma (58*) and Shafali Verma (87) got half-centuries as India reached 298/7 in 50 overs.

Shafali and Smriti Mandhana attacking Kapp. But Mandhana eventually outside-edged Tryon in the 18th over, and was caught at 45 off 58 balls. 

India's semifinal hero Jemimah Rodrigues failed to continue her good form, losing her wicket for 24 off 37 balls. Harmanpreet Kaur also failed to build on her form from the semis, and was dismissed for 20 off 29 balls.

 It was a delayed toss due to rain, and it took place at 4:32 PM. South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to bowl. She played an amazing match. Only person to take a century.  Woman of steel.

The Shefali Show.

 As Sachin Tendulkar puts: "1983 inspired an entire generation to dream big and chase those dreams. 🏏 

They prove that "Mhaari choriyo choro se kam hai ke"! 🩵🇮🇳

Jhulan Goswami & Mithali Raj finally watching their dream come true!

They built the fortress of Indian women'scricket, brick by brick, in an era when the crowds were sparse and the struggles were many. 

They carried the weight of a billion dreams on their shoulders, so that one day, another generation could lift it with a billion cheers.

This is for Mithali Raj, whose bat wrote the first chapters of our belief. For Jhulan Goswami,whose fiery spirit paved the path with passion.

They never got to hold this trophy, but make no mistake—their fingerprints are all over it. This victory is also their legacy, finally realized. 

The pillars of Indian women's cricket. Forever our champions. 

 Smriti Mandhana took Pratika Rawal to the stage for the celebration👌♥️Just one word 'Compassionate' Champions 🏆

Today, our Women’s Cricket Team has done something truly special. They have inspired countless young girls across the country to pick up a bat and ball, take the field and believe that they too can lift that trophy one day. 🏆 

This is a defining moment in the journey of Indian women’s cricket.

“A heartfelt salute to those parents who let their daughters step out, chase their dreams, and live life on their own terms. You are the true heroes behind every strong woman.”

It's for every girl who was told "no," for every coach who believed in the "what if," and for every unsung hero whose quiet work built this magnificent roar.

Looks like a scene out of Chak de India- somewhere I want to thank Shah Rukh Khan for that movie- somewhere i truly believe it changed something for Indian women’s team sport. Very appropriate that this win happened on Shah rukh Khan’s bday. This  must feel like  the best gift for him today.

They say the best view of the victory parade is from the driver's seat. But what about the one who built the chariot? The one who drew the map, fixed the wheels, and whispered, "You can," when the destination seemed a world away.

Domestic star Amol Muzumdar’s dream of playing for India was a chapter fate never wrote. But he never closed the book. 

Instead, he kept honing his craft, unaware that his greatest innings was waiting in the wings -- not on the field, but in the training grounds.

When he took charge of the Indian women's team in 2023, he didn't bring noise; he brought a profound calm. He built a fortress of belief where doubt once lingered. 

Today, as the World Cup trophy gleams under Indian skies, this victory belongs as much to the players as it does to the man whose own dream transformed into a nation's reality. 

Amol Muzumdar, your legacy is no longer about the caps you didn't earn, but the belief you instilled, the World Cup you helped win, and the profound lesson you taught us all: sometimes, the most beautiful dreams are the ones we help others achieve.

Your time was always coming. It was just waiting for the perfect moment to make a country proud. 🇮🇳🏆

The leaders of a WORLD CUP WINNING TEAM 🫡❤️

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana soaking it all in 🏆

Indeed A Chakde story, with Amol Muzumdar Sir as Coach. 

This is the sound of glass ceilings shattering, set to the tune of a country's cheers. This is history, held in their hands. This is for India. This is forever.

Well done, Team India. You’ve made the whole nation proud. 🇮🇳 💙"