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India’s 1983 Moment — This Time, It’s the Women in Blue

Edited by IndianRepublic.in - Location: Sector 7, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 400706, India

On a night carved into the heart of Indian sporting history, the Indian women’s cricket team ended decades of heartbreak and near-misses with a stirring, 52-run victory over South Africa to claim their first-ever ODI World Cup title.

A sight to behold for all of India. Via: ICC
In front of a roaring crowd of 45,000, they redefined what victory looks like for women’s sport in India.

Shafali Verma: From Bench to Brilliance

Just a week ago, Shafali Verma, 21, wasn’t even in the reserves. Today, she owns history.
Her blistering 87 off 78 balls — the highest by an Indian opener in a World Cup final (men’s or women’s) — set the stage for India’s imposing 298/7. 

But she didn’t stop there. With the ball, she broke the spine of South Africa’s chase, taking two pivotal wickets at a crucial stage. The Player of the Match left her fingerprints all over India’s date with destiny.

Her re-entry into the squad post Pratika Rawal’s injury has become the stuff of fairytales. This was more than a comeback. It was a statement — that belief, timing, and bold intent still have a place in sport’s grandest stages.

Deepti Sharma: The Backbone, The Breaker

If Verma was the blaze, Deepti Sharma was the spine.
With a cool-headed 58 off 58 balls and a stunning 5-wicket haul, she scripted one of the most complete all-round performances in World Cup history. Her late flourish with bat, and clinical dismantling of South Africa’s middle order, turned a tight chase into a celebratory procession.

For her consistency across the tournament — with both bat and ball — she was rightfully named Player of the Series.

The Final Blow: A Catch, A Cry, A Country Roars

Fittingly, the match ended in poetic justice. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the face of India’s women’s cricket revolution, backpedaled at extra cover to safely pouch a lofted shot from Nadine de Klerk. The roar at DY Patil drowned everything. History had arrived.

From tears in 2017 to triumph in 2025, Harmanpreet’s personal arc now stands complete. The woman who once stood alone in finals, this time stood shoulder to shoulder with a team that wouldn’t be denied.

A Billion Hearts. One Story.

There have been moments of hope before — 2005, 2017, even the near-flawless 2020 T20 campaign. But this was different. This wasn’t a plucky underdog story. This was a team that believed it should win — and played like it.

From Smriti Mandhana’s elegant 45, to Richa Ghosh’s counterpunching 34, from Amanjot Kaur’s sharp fielding to young Shree Charani’s nerveless bowling, this was a collective triumph. Eleven players — united, relentless, unfazed.

South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt fought a lone battle with a stunning 101, but couldn’t carry her side past the line. Her wicket in the 42nd over — caught after a juggling attempt by Amanjot — broke their resistance.

Beyond Boundaries: A New Era for Indian Women’s Sport

November 2, 2025, may well do for Indian women’s cricket what June 25, 1983 did for the men. This title win — India’s first in women's cricket — is a social signal. 

It tells every girl from Baramulla to Bengaluru that she too can dream, dominate, and define her destiny — with a bat in hand and fire in heart.

It’s a win for cricket. For women. For India.

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