India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the Women's World Cup final on Sunday in Mumbai.
The Indian women’s team scripted history on Sunday (November 2) after beating South Africa by 52 runs in the final to clinch their maiden ODI World Cup trophy at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
Led by Shafali Verma's sensational knock of 87 and Deepti Sharma's five-wicket haul, the Women in Blue emerged victorious on the biggest stage, breaking their long-awaited jinx.
After the historic triumph, India’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana said the team had a bigger responsibility than just to win this World Cup.
“Every World Cup we’ve gone into, there have been so many heartbreaks for all of us. But we always believed that we had a bigger responsibility – not just to win, but to keep growing women’s cricket,” an emotional Mandhana told the broadcasters.
The left-handed opener acknowledged the enormous support the Indian women’s team received during the showpiece event at home in the last 45 days.
“Honestly, just look at the support we’ve had over the last month and a half. It’s been incredible. To finally lift the World Cup today – I’ll take those 45 sleepless nights any day for this moment. That last World Cup was definitely tough for all of us to take. But after that, we had a clear focus – to get fitter, stronger, and better in every area,” Mandhana added.
She went on to sing praises of her team for playing terrific cricket in the knockouts as they defeated Australia in the semis and followed it up with an emphatic win over South Africa.
“What’s special about this team – and no one really talks about it – is how much we stuck together. Everyone supported each other, through good days and bad. We genuinely celebrated each other’s success. The team environment this time… it was just so positive, so connected. That’s been the biggest difference, I think,” Mandhana concluded.
Coming to the final, India posted 298/7 on the board. Apart from Shafali, Deepti (58), Mandhana (45) and Richa Ghosh (34) produced crucial knocks for the hosts.
In a chase of 299, South Africa were in the contest till the very end as their skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, became the first woman in the history of cricket to score a century in a Women’s World Cup semifinal and final, but she didn’t get ample support from other end as India went on to lift the coveted trophy.