In a momentous day for Indian women’s cricket, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur etched her name in history books as India lifted their maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title after defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium. The victory marked the culmination of years of progress and resilience for the Indian side.
Harmanpreet’s Record-Breaking Feat
The leading run-getter across all ICC Women’s ODI World Cup knockout matches is Harmanpreet Kaur, having surpassed Australian legend Belinda Clark. She has an astonishing 331 runs in just four innings, averaging 110.33, with one century and two fifties.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s record includes the iconic unbeaten 171 against Australia in 2017 and a vital 89 in this year’s semifinal against the same opponent.
During the final, the Indian skipper chipped in with 20 runs off 29 balls, which included two fours, to play an important role in keeping the innings together. Her short but valuable partnership with Deepti Sharma made sure India crossed the 200-run mark before the finishing touches came from the lower order.
India’s Commanding Final Performance
After being put in to bat first, openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma set the tone with an early partnership that kept the scoreboard ticking.
Shafali top-scored with 87, while Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma provided great middle-order contributions. A late surge from Richa Ghosh helped India post a formidable 298/7 in 50 overs.
In response, the chase of South Africa crumbled under pressure as Indian bowlers maintained discipline and intensity throughout.
The bowlers struck at regular intervals as tight fielding ensured that there would be no late resistance. India eventually restricted South Africa to 246 runs, sealing a historic 52-run victory.
A Defining Chapter in Indian Women’s Cricket
Harmanpreet’s record speaks to India’s transformation under her: a mix of aggression, calmness, and an element of self-belief.
Beyond statistics, her contribution lies in inspiring a new generation of cricketers to believe that Indian women’s cricket belongs at the very top.
With this victory, India not only won their first Women’s World Cup but also signaled their arrival as a powerhouse in the game globally.
Harmanpreet’s world record and collective victory of India will be remembered as a moment that defined India’s sporting history.
