As India clinched their maiden Women’s World Cup crown with a 52-run win over South Africa, it was Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma who stood out as the defining figures of the tournament. Deepti was named Player of the Tournament for her consistency and composure throughout the campaign.In the final, she scored a vital 58 and took a match-winning five wickets, sealing India’s long-awaited world title. She also finished as the highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 22 scalps in 9 innings and became the only player in the World Cup knockout stages, whether in men’s or women’s, to score a fifty and take a five for. Shafali Verma, whose aggressive 87 off 78 balls laid the foundation for India’s total of 298/7, was named Player of the Match.
- Player of the match: Shafali Verma
- Player of the tournament:Deepti Sharma
- Most races: Laura Wolvaardt (571 races)
- Most counters: Deepti Sharma (22)
Her innings, full of crisp hitting and control, broke several age and performance records and symbolized her redemption after being taken to the semi-final following an injury to Pratika Rawal. For South Africa, captain Laura Wolvaardt finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 571 runs in nine innings. Her century in the final, with a mastery of 101 off 98 balls, etched her name in history as the player with the most runs in a single edition of the Women’s World Cup. After Wolvaardt won the toss and elected to field, Indian openers Smriti Mandhana (45) and Shafali added 104 runs for the first wicket – only the second century partnership in a Women’s World Cup final. Deepti and Richa Ghosh (34 off 24) provided the finishing touches to take India close to 300. In response, Wolvaardt’s efforts kept South Africa in the competition before Indian spinners, led by Deepti, took control. His 5/39 and Shafali’s two wickets bundled the Proteas out for 246.
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It was a fitting end to a campaign marked by composure and conviction. From chasing 339 against Australia in the semi-final to keeping their cool in the final, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side delivered when it mattered most.
