India claims first-ever title in one-sided final against South Africa

NAVI MUMBAI, India (AP):

LED BY brilliant all-round performances from Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma, India won the Women’s Cricket World Cup for the first time with a 52-run victory over South Africa yesterday.

Opening batter Verma scored a career-best 87 off 78 balls as the tournament co-hosts reached 298-7 in 50 overs, after losing the toss and batting first at the DY Patil Stadium.

South Africa were out for 246 in 45.3 overs in reply, with their chase effectively over after skipper Laura Wolvaardt was out for 101 from 98 balls. Spinner Sharma took the final wicket of the match and finished with bowling figures of 5-39 from 9.3 overs.

It was India’s third final after 2005 and 2017.

“We were waiting for this moment, and now this moment has come,” said India’s winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur. “Now we want to make this a habit.”

Both sides were unchanged from the semi-finals, when India beat defending champions and seven-time winners Australia by five wickets and South Africa beat four-time champions England by 125 runs. The Proteas were first-time finalists.

Verma – who was drafted in last week for the injured Pratika Rawal – also took 2-36 with the ball.

Verma was named Player of the Match – the youngest at 21 years, 278 days to win the award in an ODI World Cup final.

“God sent me to do something good (about the injury replacement) and that was reflected today,” Verma said. “Everyone told me how important the final was, so I only focused on making runs today. My mind was clear today.”

Before claiming a five-for, Sharma (58) scored her third half-century of the tournament as India reached the second-highest total in a World Cup final after Australia’s 356-5 against England in 2022.

Sharma finished with 22 wickets and 215 runs in nine matches, including three half-centuries. She was named Player of the Tournament.

“I like challenges, so I am up for whatever situation we are in or whatever role I am given. I had to play as per the situation today, and I enjoyed myself with both bat and ball,” Sharma said. “We were not relaxed at any time, but we were calm. I dedicate this trophy to my parents.”

Wolvaardt scored a fine century on the back of her semi-final heroics against England. She was easily the tournament’s highest scorer with a total of 571 runs in nine matches at an average 71.37.

For India, it was the culmination of a successful home campaign as the Women in Blue lifted their first major international trophy.

The Women’s Cricket World Cup also saw a new winner for the first time in 25 years.