India’s women's side won their maiden ODI World Cup by defeating South Africa in the final

2025 witnessed the Indian men’s cricket team lifting the ICC Champions Trophy and Asia Cup. However, it was the women’s side who scripted a longer history by lifting their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup, defeating South Africa in the final. As the year comes to an end, we believe the top performance of every player in every game of the tournament must be highlighted.

In the following paragraphs, check out the Indian heroes one game at a time.

India vs. Sri Lanka

(Credit- News18)

In the campaign opener, Harleen Deol scored 48 to give India a decent start, while in the lower order, Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur scored 53 and 57 runs, respectively, helping India post 269. In terms of bowling prowess, Sharma picked up three wickets, and Sri Lanka made only 211, with India winning by 59 runs under the DLS method.

India vs. Pakistan

(Credit- NDTV Sports)

The second witnessed a collective batting effort from India, with Pratika Rawal hitting 31, Harleen scoring 46, Jemimah Rodrigues making 32, and Richa Ghosh adding 35. Pakistan had to chase a target of 250, but they faltered at 159, thanks to three wickets each by Kranti Gaud and Deepti Sharma.

India vs. South Africa

(Credit- The Hindu)

India’s three-game losing streak began with a defeat against Sri Lanka. Thanks to a wobbly start, the majority of Indian batters scored single-digit runs, but fortunately, Rawal scored 37, Richa Ghosh made it big with 94, and Sneha Rana added 33, helping India post 251. However, the low score wasn’t defendable enough, and India lost the game.

India vs. Australia

((Credit- News18)

India suffered its second loss of the tournament despite massive scores of 75 from Pratika Rawal and 80 from Smriti Mandhana, which helped the team set a target of 330. However, the Indian bowling lineup couldn’t contain the Aussie batters, and the game went away from the Women in Blue.

India vs. England

(Credit- NDTV)

The game versus England became India’s third consecutive loss in the tournament. Deepti Sharma scalped four wickets and, with the help of other bowlers, contained England to 288. In response, Smriti Mandhana (88) and Harmanpreet Kaur (70) tried to chase the target down, but other batters in the line-up failed to do the needful, and India fell short by four runs.

India vs. New Zealand

(Credit-IndiaToday)

This was the do-or-die match for India, and fortunately, the game went in India’s favour; thanks to Rawal’s 122, Mandhana’s 109, and Rodrigues’s 76. To defend the target, Indian bowlers picked eight wickets, with two each by Renuka Singh and Kranti Gaud, helping India win by 53 runs.

India vs. Australia

(Credit- NDTV)

After India’s game against Bangladesh was washed out due to heavy rainfall, India moved on to the semi-final against Australia, a chance to get its revenge. Jemimah Rodrigues was India’s saviour that night, scoring 127 runs that ensured India a place in the final.

India vs. South Africa

(Credit- Jagran Josh)

The final match of the game was also a rematch between India and South Africa, but this time, India held its nerve. Shafali Verma’s 87 and Deepti Sharma’s 58 were the batting highlights from the Indian dugout that helped India post 297 runs. In response, South Africa managed only 246 because the lineup was rattled by Deepti Sharma, who picked up five wickets.

As the year comes to an end, learn the names of all the heroes by heart because every effort mattered, and the team lifted the historic title.