New Delhi: India’s women’s cricket team created history by winning their first-ever ODI World Cup title after a long wait of 47 years. India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday.
Opting to bowl first, South Africa restricted India to 298 for 7, but India’s batters put up a solid performance. Shafali Verma top-scored with 87 runs, while Deepti Sharma made 58, Smriti Mandhana 45, and Richa Ghosh 34. For South Africa, Ayabonga Khaka was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets.
Chasing a challenging target, South Africa were bowled out for 246. Captain Laura Wolvaardt fought hard with her second consecutive century but fell short of guiding her team to victory. Shafali Verma, who also claimed two crucial wickets, turned the game in India’s favour, while Deepti Sharma’s five-wicket haul sealed the win.
Shafali Verma was named the Player of the Final for her all-round performance.
