Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian women’s cricket team after they created history by winning the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 — their first-ever title. India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, a match that stretched into the early hours of Monday.

PM Modi hailed the team’s “spectacular win,” praising their skill, confidence, and teamwork throughout the tournament. “A spectacular win by the Indian team in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Finals. Their performance in the final was marked by great skill and confidence. The team showed exceptional teamwork and tenacity throughout the tournament. Congratulations to our players. This historic win will motivate future champions to take up sports,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

A landmark moment for Indian cricket

India’s triumph marked the culmination of two decades of near misses. Having reached the final in 2005 and 2017, the team finally ended their title drought in 2025. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front — both strategically and on the field — sealing the victory with a stunning over-the-shoulder catch that brought an emotional end to the match.

Deepti Sharma was the standout performer with a remarkable all-round display. She first contributed a crucial half-century, scoring 58 off 58 balls, and later picked up five wickets, including the match-clinching dismissal in the final over. Shafali Verma, recalled to the playing XI in the semi-finals after Pratika Rawal’s injury, played the innings of her career, smashing a robust 87 that laid the foundation for India’s total.

From struggle to supremacy

India’s innings of 298/7 was powered by Shafali’s aggressive start and valuable cameos from the middle order. Richa Ghosh added a quick 34 off 24 balls, hitting three boundaries and two sixes, while Jemimah Rodrigues (24) and Harmanpreet Kaur (20) provided stability early on before falling in quick succession.

Despite South Africa’s late fightback, India’s bowlers held their nerve under pressure. Deepti Sharma’s spell turned the game decisively in India’s favour, while Renuka Thakur and Pooja Vastrakar delivered tight overs to keep the run rate in check.

Throughout the tournament, India endured several close calls — including three consecutive losses in the league stage — but displayed remarkable resilience to bounce back. Their semi-final win against Australia, one of the tournament favourites, restored belief in the squad.

A win that transcends sport

For the players and fans alike, this victory is more than just a trophy — it symbolises perseverance, unity, and the rise of women’s cricket in India. The sight of Harmanpreet Kaur lifting the cup, surrounded by jubilant teammates, will remain etched in the country’s sporting memory.

This historic triumph is expected to inspire a new generation of young girls to pursue cricket and other sports. The Indian team’s journey from heartbreaks to heroics has once again underlined the nation’s growing dominance in international women’s cricket.