India wins ICC Women's World Cup 2025: BCCI announces record cash prize, congratulations pour in

India’s long wait for a maiden Women’s Cricket World Cup crown ended in a blaze of emotion and fireworks at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday, as Harmanpreet Kaur’s team defeated South Africa by 52 runs to lift the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 trophy.

Before a full-capacity home crowd, India produced an inspired all-round performance led by Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma, scripting a dramatic turnaround after a shaky league phase that saw them lose three matches in succession.

Verma And Deepti Lead India’s Title Charge

Put in to bat after a rain-delayed toss, India’s openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma built a century stand that laid the platform for a formidable total.

Mandhana struck a fluent 45 off 58 deliveries before falling against the run of play, but Verma carried on to score a blistering 87 off 78 balls, including seven fours and two sixes. Jemimah Rodrigues added a patient 24, while Deepti Sharma’s counterattacking 58 off 58 balls and Richa Ghosh’s quickfire 34 powered India to 298 for seven in 50 overs.

South Africa’s chase began confidently under skipper Laura Wolvaardt, who notched up her second consecutive century of the tournament. But once Verma, introduced as a surprise bowling change, dismissed SuneLuus and Marizanne Kapp in quick succession, the match tilted decisively in India’s favour.

Deepti then sealed the victory with a devastating spell of 5 for 39, cleaning up the lower order as South Africa folded for 246 in 46 overs.

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Celebrations And Emotions Run High

The victory capped a dream run for a side that had twice fallen short in the final before finally breaking through.

Harmanpreet Kaur, visibly emotional after the win, lifted the trophy amid thunderous applause from the packed stands. Shafali Verma, who had been drafted into the squad only ahead of the knockout stage as an injury replacement, was named Player of the Match, while Deepti Sharma earned the Player of the Tournament award for her 22 wickets and 215 runs through the campaign.

Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a Rs 51 crore cash prize for the team, with Secretary DevajitSaikia confirming the move.

Nationwide Tributes Pour In

Tributes and congratulations poured in from across the country as the news of India’s historic triumph spread.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X: "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."

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…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 2, 2025

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar lauded the team’s achievement, saying: “1983 inspired an entire generation to dream big and chase those dreams. Today, our Women’s Cricket Team has done something truly special. They have inspired countless young girls across the country to pick up a bat and ball, take the field and believe that they too can lift that trophy one day. This is a defining moment in the journey of Indian women’s cricket.”

1983 inspired an entire generation to dream big and chase those dreams. 🏏

Today, our Women’s Cricket Team has done something truly special. They have inspired countless young girls across the country to pick up a bat and ball, take the field and believe that they too can lift… pic.twitter.com/YiFeqpRipc

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 2, 2025

What a proud moment for Bharat!
Heartiest congratulations to Team India on winning the #ICCWomensWorldCup2025. With skill, grit, and unwavering spirit, our women cricketers have scripted history and lifted the nation’s pride to new heights. Their remarkable journey will inspire… pic.twitter.com/qo0aofQVEn

— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) November 3, 2025

Congratulations Team India for this emphatic win of the first ever Women's Cricket World Cup. This is a proud moment for us as we witness history in the making and our Bharatiya Naarishakti at its peak display. This was the best possible end to a busy Sunday. Girls, your win is… pic.twitter.com/HSEWFsqm14

— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) November 2, 2025

BJP National Vice President Baijayant Panda called it “a glorious chapter added to India’s cricketing legacy,” while Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi wrote: “Congratulations Team India for this emphatic win of the first ever Women's Cricket World Cup. This is a proud moment for us as we witness history in the making and our BharatiyaNaarishakti at its peak display.”