When Dreams Became Reality: India Claims Maiden Women's World Cup Glory

Photo by Debjoy Biswas/Pixel Sports

The roar at the DY Patil Stadium shattered the silence of two decades. On a humid November evening in Navi Mumbai, as Harmanpreet Kaur caught the final wicket and Deepti Sharma completed her five wicket haul, the Indian women's cricket team finally erased the pain of 2005 and 2017. The trophy that had eluded them twice before was theirs. India defeated South Africa by 52 runs to become world champions for the first time.​

This was not just a cricket match. This was redemption, vindication, and the fulfillment of dreams that began when pioneers like Anjum Chopra first picked up a bat in a nation that barely noticed women's cricket. The journey to this moment started long before the first ball was bowled in this World Cup, stretching back through generations of players who fought not just opponents but indifference, inadequate resources, and the crushing weight of unfulfilled expectations.

India's path to World Cup glory was paved with crushing disappointments. In 2005 at Centurion, South Africa, a young Indian team reached their first World Cup final only to be dismantled by Australia. Karen Rolton's unbeaten 107 guided Australia to 215/4, and India collapsed to just 117 in response, losing by 98 runs. For players like Jhulan Goswami, Mithali Raj, and Anjum Chopra, that defeat stung for years.​

Twelve years later came the cruelest blow. At Lord's in 2017, India faced England in front of a sold out crowd of 24,000. Chasing 229, India appeared in control at 191/3 with Punam Raut and Veda Krishnamurthy batting well. Then disaster struck. Anya Shrubsole unleashed a devastating spell, claiming 6/46 to trigger a collapse of seven wickets for just 28 runs. India fell nine runs short. Harmanpreet Kaur, who had smashed a legendary 171 against Australia in the semifinal, could only watch helplessly as the trophy slipped away. Deepti Sharma and others were left in tears on the Lord's turf.​

Those two finals defined a generation. They also lit a fire that would burn for eight years.

While India's current champions lifted the trophy, they stood on foundations built by legends who paved the way through decades of struggle. Anjum Chopra, who made her ODI debut at just 17 in 1995, was the first Indian woman to score 1,000 ODI runs, playing in over 150 international matches across 18 years. She faced an era when women's cricket existed in the margins, when facilities were scarce and recognition even scarcer. Despite playing six World Cups, including the heartbreaking 2005 final, Chopra never lifted the trophy. Yet her contributions went far beyond statistics. She showed young girls that cricket was a viable path.​

Mithali Raj became the face of Indian women's cricket for over two decades. The first true superstar of the women's game, she scored 10,868 runs across formats, still the most in women's international cricket. Mithali captained India in two World Cup finals, in 2005 and 2017, carrying the weight of a billion expectations. She became the first Indian woman to score 7,000 ODI runs and the first to complete two decades in international cricket. Beyond numbers, Mithali fought for better pay, organized travel, negotiated central contracts that were finally granted in 2016, and gave the sport dignity and respect.​

Jhulan Goswami, the Chakdaha Express, revolutionized Indian women's cricket as a genuine fast bowler. In a country known for spin, she became a pioneer, inspiring a generation of pace bowlers. Her 255 ODI wickets remain the highest ever in women's cricket, and she is the only player to breach the 250 wicket mark. From her debut against England in 2002 to her farewell at Lord's in 2022, Jhulan carried India's bowling attack for 20 years. She took 4/16 against West Indies in the 2005 World Cup and 3/23 in the 2017 final. Her legacy extends beyond wickets to creating a culture of fast bowling that produced bowlers like Renuka Singh and Kranti Gaud.​

Together, these three women organized nets, waited in BCCI corridors lobbying for contracts, juggled cricket with jobs, and endured losses that would have broken lesser spirits. They never won the World Cup, but without them, November 2, 2025 would never have happened.​

India's 2025 World Cup campaign began with uncertainty and ended in triumph. After beating Sri Lanka by 59 runs via DLS method in the opener, India defeated Pakistan convincingly by 88 runs. Then came three consecutive losses that tested their resolve. South Africa chased down 252 thanks to Nadine de Klerk's unbeaten 84. Australia hunted down India's 330 with balls to spare. England left them four runs short despite heroics from Smriti Mandhana's 88 and Harmanpreet's 70.​

Three straight defeats had critics questioning Harmanpreet's captaincy and the team's mental strength. But instead of crumbling, India found their soul. Jemimah Rodrigues, who had been dropped for the England match, nearly quit the sport. She later revealed that she cried almost every day during that period, supported by teammates like Arundhati Reddy, Smriti Mandhana, and Radha Yadav.​

The turnaround began against New Zealand. Smriti Mandhana blasted 109 and Pratika Rawal smashed 122 in a record 212 run opening stand as India posted their highest World Cup total of 340/3. Jemimah Rodrigues added 76 not out off 55 balls as India won by 53 runs.​

Then came the semifinal that changed everything. Against defending champions Australia, India were set 339 to chase, the highest target in a World Cup knockout match. Jemimah Rodrigues produced the innings of her life, an unbeaten 127 off 134 balls, adding 167 runs with Harmanpreet who made 89. India chased down the target with five wickets and nine balls to spare, recording the highest successful chase in Women's ODI history.​

The final itself was a story of redemption within redemption. Shafali Verma was not even supposed to be there. Initially left out of the World Cup squad, she was called up only after opener Pratika Rawal injured herself during the league stage. Five years earlier, at the 2020 T20 World Cup final at the MCG, a 16 year old Shafali had dropped Alyssa Healy, who went on to score a match winning knock. The image of a heartbroken, teary eyed Shafali became one of Indian cricket's most emotional snapshots.​​

Now, in Navi Mumbai, destiny gave her a second chance. South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first. Shafali and Smriti Mandhana put on a commanding 104 run opening partnership in 106 balls. While Smriti fell for 45 off 58 balls with eight fours, having become India's highest run scorer in a World Cup edition with 434 runs, Shafali continued her assault.​

Shafali blazed to 87 off 78 balls with seven fours and two sixes, her highest ODI score. She looked set for a century before falling to Ayabonga Khaka in the 30th over. Jemimah Rodrigues added 24, but the real late fireworks came from Deepti Sharma who scored 58 off 77 balls to steady the innings, and Richa Ghosh who smashed 34 off 24 balls with three fours and two sixes. Ghosh's 12 sixes in the tournament equaled the record for most sixes in a World Cup edition. India finished on 298/7, the second highest total in a Women's World Cup final.​

Chasing 299, South Africa got off to a solid start with a 50 run opening stand. Tazmin Brits was run out by a direct hit from Amanjot Kaur, and Sree Charani trapped Anneke Bosch LBW. Captain Laura Wolvaardt anchored the innings alongside Sune Luus, taking South Africa past 100.​

Then Harmanpreet made a masterstroke. She brought on Shafali Verma to bowl her part time off spin, reminiscent of Virender Sehwag. Shafali struck with her second ball, dismissing Luus, and then removed the dangerous Marizanne Kapp in her next over to grab 2/36 in seven overs. Her all round performance earned her Player of the Match.​

At 209/5, South Africa were still in the hunt through Laura Wolvaardt's magnificent 101 off 98 balls, becoming only the second player to score hundreds in both a World Cup semifinal and final. But Deepti Sharma turned the tide. She dismissed Annerie Dercksen to trigger a collapse, then removed Wolvaardt with a juggling catch by Amanjot Kaur and Chloe Tryon in the same over. Deepti became the first bowler to take a five wicket haul in a Women's World Cup final, finishing with 5/39 from 9.3 overs. South Africa crumbled from 209/5 to 246 all out in 45.3 overs.​

As Nadine de Klerk's wicket fell to Deepti and Harmanpreet completed the catch, the DY Patil Stadium erupted. India had won by 52 runs.​

Every player in that Indian squad carried their own battles and triumphs to the final. Smriti Mandhana ended the tournament with 434 runs in nine innings at an average of 54.25 and a strike rate of 99.08, surpassing Mithali Raj's record of 409 runs in the 2017 edition to become India's highest run scorer in a single World Cup. The left handed opener also became the fastest Indian woman to 4,000 ODI runs and scored 14 ODI centuries, second only to Meg Lanning.​

Jemimah Rodrigues, who had contemplated quitting after being dropped, ended the tournament as a hero with her semifinal century and a total of 1,598 ODI runs at an average of 32.61 from 57 matches. The 25 year old from Mumbai, who made her international debut in 2018, had scored an unbeaten double century of 202 in an U19 match in 2017.​

Deepti Sharma achieved something unprecedented. She became the first cricketer, male or female, to record 200 runs and 20 wickets in a single World Cup edition. She scored 215 runs at an average of 30.71 with three half centuries and took 22 wickets at an average of 24.11, including her historic 5/39 in the final. With 36 career World Cup wickets, she became India's second highest wicket taker in World Cup history behind only Jhulan Goswami's 43.​

Richa Ghosh, the 21 year old wicket keeper batter from Siliguri, made her World Cup debut sensational with 235 runs in eight innings at an average of 39.16 and a strike rate over 133. Her 12 sixes tied the record for most sixes in a World Cup edition. In an earlier match against South Africa, she scored 94 from number 8, the highest score by a number 8 batter in Women's ODI history.​

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who had endured the heartbreak of 2017 and multiple near misses, finally lifted the trophy she had chased for 16 years. Since her ODI debut in 2009 at age 20, Harmanpreet had scored 4,077 runs at an average of 37.06 with seven centuries including her legendary 171 not out against Australia in the 2017 semifinal. She became the first Indian woman to score a T20I century in 2018 and led India to their first bilateral ODI series win in England since 1999 in 2022.​

In the moments after victory, as the Indian players celebrated wildly, they did something that captured the essence of their triumph. They handed the trophy to Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, and Anjum Chopra, the legends who had laid the foundation but never experienced this moment themselves. The three former champions, who had endured the pain of 2005 and 2017, finally held the World Cup trophy. Tears flowed freely as past met present.​

Harmanpreet later said, "Jhulan di was my biggest support. When I joined the team, she was leading it. She always supported me in my early days when I was very raw. In the initial days, Anjum supported me a lot. I used to play with boys, and the school principal picked me up, and within a year, I started representing the country. Both of them have been a great support for me. I'm very grateful that I got to share a special moment with them".​

Mithali Raj, ever composed, simply said, "Thank you. I am so happy".​

Diana Edulji, another pioneer who played and worked in administration for over 50 years, said, "I just have no words to explain. This is the proudest moment of my life. 50 years of my being on the cricket field as a player and an administrator. I am just absolutely thrilled. That star on the jersey, it's now come true and it's a proud moment for me".​

India's victory was built on remarkable statistics. They posted 298/7 in the final, the second highest total in a Women's World Cup final. Their semifinal chase of 339 against Australia was the highest successful chase in Women's ODI history and the first time a 300 plus total was chased in any ODI World Cup knockout match.​

Deepti Sharma's double of 200 runs and 20 wickets in a single World Cup had never been achieved before. Her five wicket haul in the final made her the first bowler with a fifer in a Women's World Cup final. Smriti Mandhana's 434 runs broke India's record for runs in a World Cup edition. Shafali Verma at 21 years and 278 days became the youngest player to score a fifty in an ODI World Cup final across men's and women's cricket.​

The tournament also saw Marizanne Kapp break Jhulan Goswami's record to become the highest wicket taker in Women's World Cup history during the semifinal against England.​

India's triumph was no accident. It was the result of systemic changes in Indian women's cricket over the past few years. The introduction of the Women's Premier League in 2023 revolutionized the sport. The WPL exposed players to high pressure situations regularly, helping them develop the fearlessness on display in the World Cup.​

Former captain Mithali Raj explained, "The WPL played a huge role in shaping the attitude of the players in this tournament. Without that platform, we wouldn't have unearthed talents like Charani or Kranti Gaud. These youngsters weren't overwhelmed by the occasion of playing their first World Cup final at home despite the pressure and expectations. That fearlessness comes from being exposed to high pressure experiences through franchise leagues".​

The numbers support this. Before the WPL, India had a 37.9 percent win rate against top four teams Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and England in ODIs. After the WPL began, that jumped to 50 percent.​

The BCCI also provided unprecedented support. This was the biggest contingent India had ever sent to a World Cup, 18 players and 18 members of support staff. In 2024, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah introduced equal pay for women cricketers, sending a powerful message about parity. Following the World Cup victory, the BCCI announced a record 51 crore rupees prize money, with each player receiving an equal share, the highest ever in women's cricket history.​

India's World Cup victory marks not an ending but a beginning. The team's Future Tours Programme for 2025 to 2029 is packed with opportunities to cement their status as a global powerhouse. They will play five Tests, 36 ODIs, and 30 T20Is in bilateral series plus three T20I tri series and multiple ICC events.​

In January 2025, India hosts Ireland for three ODIs. In July, they travel to England for three T20Is and three ODIs. September brings Australia home for three ODIs before the ODI World Cup. December features Bangladesh at home for three ODIs and three T20Is.​

Looking ahead, India will host England and Australia for Test and white ball series in 2027 and 2028. The expanded schedule includes more Test cricket, crucial for developing all format excellence. The 2026 T20 World Cup in England presents the next major challenge, followed by the Champions Trophy in 2027, another T20 World Cup in 2028, and the 2029 ODI World Cup.​

The talent pipeline looks strong. Young players like Pratika Rawal, who became the fastest woman to 500 ODI runs in just eight innings, and Kranti Goud, whose 6/52 against England announced her arrival, represent the next generation. The WPL continues to produce fearless cricketers ready for international cricket.​

But the real impact goes beyond cricket. Match viewership started at about 20 lakh and crossed 30 crore by the final. Cricket academies across India reported surges in enrollment from young girls. In Bhubaneswar, one academy gained three new female members in three days after the final. Parents who once discouraged daughters from cricket now see it as a viable career.​

The economic impact is equally profound. The WPL generated roughly 700 million dollars in franchise and media rights. Sponsors are flooding in. Young girls are asking for cricket kits instead of dolls. The victory proved that equality and profitability can thrive together.​

India's women cricketers changed more than just their trophy cabinet. They changed perceptions, opened doors, and inspired millions. From the pioneers who played with limited resources to the champions who lifted the trophy under lights at the DY Patil Stadium, this was a victory 47 years in the making.

As Harmanpreet Kaur held the trophy aloft, surrounded by teammates past and present, the message was clear. This is not just India's team. This is every girl who was told her dreams were too big, every mother who hid cricket kits under schoolbooks, every coach who believed when others doubted. This trophy belongs to a nation that finally understands that when given equal opportunity, women's cricket can achieve anything.

The wait is over. The era of Indian women's cricket dominance has just begun.