"Moments for a Lifetime": India Celebrates First Anniversary of Historic Women's ODI World Cup Win
Deepti Sharma, Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur recall the historic 2025 Women's ODI World Cup victory over South Africa.
It has been one year since the Indian women's cricket team etched their names in gold, and the euphoria of that historic maiden ODI World Cup triumph still lingers. On November 2, the cricketing community paused to celebrate the anniversary of a victory that didn't just earn a trophy, but validated decades of hard work and aspiration for women's sports in India.
The landmark victory took place at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, where a spirited Indian side, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the 2025 final. Bringing the ICC Women's ODI World Cup home for the first time, the win marked the culmination of a dream shared by generations of athletes.
Legends and Stars Recall the Magic
The anniversary saw emotional reflections from the heart of the team. Deepti Sharma, who was the standout performer of the tournament, took to Instagram to share her gratitude. "Some moments stay with you for a lifetime and this one will always be special," she wrote, noting that reliving the victory motivates her to continue giving her best for the millions of fans who support the team.
Former captain Mithali Raj shared a poignant message on X, framing the win as a collective victory for all the women who played before this era. Raj described the moment as a "dream nurtured by generations," emphasizing that the triumph was built on years of sacrifice, perseverance, and unwavering belief.
The BCCI also highlighted perspectives from other key figures:
- Harmanpreet Kaur: The winning captain admitted the moment was deeply emotional, stating that winning the World Cup had been her ultimate dream since childhood.
- Smriti Mandhana: The star opener reflected on the achievement with a lighthearted touch, saying she would tell her younger self to "keep that madness alive" because she would eventually be known as a World Cup Champion.
- Amol Muzumdar: The head coach acknowledged the fulfillment of the dream but reminded everyone that the team's journey of growth continues.
The Road to Glory: Key Performances
India's path to the title was paved by extraordinary individual and collective efforts. Five players, in particular, stood out as the architects of this success:
The All-Round Dominance of Deepti Sharma
Named the Player of the Tournament, Deepti Sharma was nearly unstoppable. She topped the wicket-taking charts with 22 scalps and contributed 215 runs with the bat. Her crowning achievement came in the final, where she ripped through the South African batting lineup with a devastating 5/39.
The Batting Powerhouses
Smriti Mandhana set a new benchmark for Indian women in a single ODI World Cup edition, amassing 434 runs, including a brilliant century. Meanwhile, Jemimah Rodrigues played a pivotal role with 292 runs; her unbeaten 127 and a massive 167-run partnership with Harmanpreet in the semifinal against Australia are remembered as turning points of the campaign.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front with 260 runs, including a vital 89 in the semifinal. Adding explosive power to the middle order was Richa Ghosh, who scored 235 runs at a high strike rate and smashed 13 sixes—the most by any Indian in the tournament.
The Final Showdown
The final against South Africa was a masterclass in pressure management. Shafali Verma earned the Player of the Match award for her aggressive 87 off 78 balls and a disciplined bowling spell that yielded two wickets for 36 runs.
While Deepti's five-wicket haul dismantled the opposition, it was a crucial piece of fielding by Harmanpreet Kaur—a vital catch to dismiss Nadine de Klerk in the 46th over—that effectively sealed the historic victory and ended India's long wait for the ODI World Cup title.