Source: BBC Cricket
Five moments that defined India’s women’s World Cup glory7 hours agoShareSaveAyaz MemonCricket writerShareSaveFans celebrate India Women’s World Cup winIndia held their nerve under the weight of immense expectation to beat South Africa by 52 runs and clinch their first-ever Women’s World Cup.The roar at Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium said it all – history had finally caught up with promise.It’s been a campaign of redemption and resilience. From three straight defeats in the group stage to a flawless knockout run, India’s turnaround was as dramatic as it was defining.For a cricket-mad nation long waiting for its women to stand shoulder to shoulder with its men, this triumph felt epochal – the spark of a new era. Here are the five moments that shaped India’s road to glory.Harmanpreet hands the ball to Shafali in the finalPankaj Nangia/Getty ImagesShafali Verma starred in the final – a blazing 87 off 78 and two crucial wicketsIt was an unexpected move that stunned everyone.Shafali Verma – playing only because regular opener Pratika Rawal was injured – is a part-time spinner in theVirender Sehwagmould.Yet she struck gold, removing Sune Luus with her second ball and Marizanne Kapp with her seventh, halting South Africa’s chase in its tracks.After the match, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said she’d gone with her gut – “it felt like her day.” Having earlier smashed 87, Verma fittingly took home the Player of the Match award.Amanjot’s tumbling catch ends Wolvaardt’s chargeAlex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty ImagesAmanjot Kaur clung on in a tumbling catch that sent the stadium – and India – roaring.South Africa’s opener and captain Laura Wolvaardt had been the pre-eminent batter in the tournament, not only leading the run-scorer’s list, but also slamming a century in the semi-final to knock out England.In the final, she threatened to do the same against India with another magnificent century.With 78 needed, Wolvaardt went for broke – but her lofted hit off Deepti Sharma was skied to long-on. Amanjot Kaur, the 25-year-old daughter of a carpenter from Punjab, sprinted in, juggled thrice, and finally clung on in a tumbling catch that sent the stadium – and India – roaring.Wolvaardt stood between India and victory. Amanjot had held her nerve, and the catch for dear life. The path to victory had been cleared.Jemimah’s dazzling century stuns AustraliaPUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty ImagesJemimah Rodrigues plays a shot in the semi-final match against AustraliaOn a dewy night, Jemimah Rodrigues powered India to one of the greatest chases in women’s cricket to reach the World Cup final.Her unbeaten 127 in the semi-final against Australia was the very definition of a tour de force.Promoted to No 3, Jemimah played the innings of a lifetime, steering India past a record target against their long-time nemesis – the Australians who had thwarted India’s ICC dreams for over a decade.Her innings was a masterclass in building a match-winning knock under pressure.Walking in after two early …
Published: 2025-11-03T07:32:37
Leave a Reply