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Smriti Mandhana was over the moon after the Women in Blue etched their name in history and won their maiden 50-over Women's World Cup by defeating South Africa in the final at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday, November 2. India came close to winning the tournament twice - in 2005 and 2017 - but suffered heartbreaking defeats in the finals. Playing at home, with a billion fans cheering, India wasn't going to let the opportunity slip away. The game saw a fitting end as Harmanpreet Kaur took a stunning catch to close South Africa's innings and win the game by 52 runs, sending the entire nation into a frenzy of joy and celebration. History tells that World Cups require a huge effort from the entire team, exactly what India did in the 2025 edition, with each player making vital contributions. Smriti Mandhana top-scored for the side with 434 runs, while Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur played match-winning innings of 127 and 89, respectively, in the semifinal to knock Australia out. Deepti was brilliant with her 22 wickets, including a five-wicket haul and a fifty in the final. Amanjot Kaur, Richa Ghosh, and not to forget Shafali Verma, all chipped in with crucial contributions as India scripted history. Smriti Mandhana's Tears Of JoyMandhana was overwhelmed by the occasion, but her emotions were visible as she tried to describe what it meant to finally see India crowned world champions. "I don't know how to react to that [being World Champions]. Still sinking in. I haven't been emotional on a cricket field, but just a very unreal moment. Home World Cup. Just to read 'Champions - India', I am still not able to process it. Every World Cup we go in and there's been so many heartbreaks for all of us. But we always believe we've got a bigger responsibility with women's cricket and genuinely to see the support we've got in the last one and a half months... I mean, I don't know how to explain the last 40 days. But to end it with a World Cup win today, I will take the 45 days of not sleeping every night," she said at post-match presentation. "The last T20 World Cup was a difficult one for all of us, but we had a clear focus on trying to work on our fitness, trying to be better at each aspect. The super-strength of this team - no one will talk about it - is how everyone just stuck in, played for each other. In a World Cup you need everyone's support, good days and bad days. We enjoyed each others' success. I can't tell you how the team environment is... that's just magic." India's campaign was a topsy turvy ride. They lost to South Africa, Australia and England in the league stage before beating New Zealand and barely managing to qualify for the semis. However, a ruthless India turned up in the semifinal to knock Australia out before beating South Africa in the final by 52 runs, defending the 298. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Sports, Cricket and around the world.
