ICC Women’s World Cup final: Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma star as India beat South Africa for historic victory

A spirited India held their nerve under the weight of expectation to beat South Africa by 52 runs and claim their historic maiden Women’s World Cup victory.

The extravagant event in front of a raucous and sold-out crowd was delayed by two hours due to rain, but no overs were lost and a match for the ages was played in Navi Mumbai.

The home side batted first and posted a competitive score of 298-7. Opener Shafali Verma led the attack with a dynamic 87 from 78 balls, supported by Deepti Sharma’s 58, which broke the Proteas’ one-day international run-chase record under highest pressure.

Skipper Laura Wolvaardt hit a flawless 101 from 98 balls for her second consecutive century to put South Africa in contention at 211-6, needing 88 off the final 10 overs.

But Amanjot Kaur’s dismissal in the 42nd over with a sensational juggling catch at deep midwicket off Deepti sparked India’s charge to victory and even though the game ended after midnight local time, the packed crowd stayed and roared until the last ball.

Feelings were contrasting for South Africa, who had lost the previous two T20 finals and finished 246 to confirm their third consecutive final defeat.

Called up for the semi-finals following the injury of Pratika Rawal, Verma became an unlikely hero with the ball, adding figures of 2-36 to her knock, but when turmoil ensued it was Deepti, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, who ran past the Proteas batsmen to finish with 5-39.

More to follow.