Deepti Sharma’s achievement — that historic double — will be remembered not just as a statistical milestone, but as the symbol of a new era in Indian sport: one where women’s cricket commands the same stage, the same respect, and the same roar of a nation
It has been over a week since India lifted their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup title, but the nation is still reveling in the afterglow of a victory that has already rewritten cricketing history. At the heart of this triumph stood Deepti Sharma, whose all-round brilliance not only earned her the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award but also cemented her status as one of the modern greats of women’s cricket.
In the final at the DY Patil Stadium, India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in a contest that showcased composure, depth, and resilience. Batting first after being put in, India posted a formidable 298 for 7, powered by Shafali Verma’s 87 and a composed 58 from Deepti Sharma. Though India once looked set for 350, the middle order steadied the innings just enough to post a winning total.
South Africa, chasing 299, mounted a spirited response led by captain Laura Wolvaardt’s classy 101, but Deepti’s spin proved decisive. Her 5 for 39 dismantled the chase, sealing the victory in 45.3 overs and handing India a long-awaited global title.
Deepti Sharma’s Unprecedented Feat
Across the tournament, Deepti Sharma was nothing short of sensational — scoring 215 runs and taking 22 wickets, becoming the first cricketer across men’s and women’s World Cups to achieve the rare double of 200+ runs and 20+ wickets in a single edition.
Her consistency was the backbone of India’s campaign:
- Runs: 215 (avg 30.71, SR 90.71, 3 fifties)
- Wickets: 22 (avg 24.11, best 5/39)
With those numbers, she also set new Indian records — surpassing Shubhangi Kulkarni (1981–82) and Neetu David (2005) for most wickets in a Women’s World Cup, and becoming the first Indian to claim a five-wicket haul in a World Cup final.
- Her all-round heroics in the knockout stages, including a match-winning spell against Australia in the semifinal, were instrumental in India’s march to glory
- The feat is already being hailed as one of the greatest individual campaigns in World Cup history
A New Era for Women’s Cricket
The victory has ignited a nationwide wave of celebration. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a ₹51 crore reward for the players, coaches, and support staff — a gesture underscoring the growing recognition of women’s cricket in India.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia reflected on the moment’s significance:
“In 1983, Kapil Dev’s men changed the face of Indian cricket. The women have now done the same. They haven’t just won the trophy — they’ve won the hearts of a billion Indians.”
He also credited recent structural reforms under Jay Shah’s tenure (2019–2024) for helping elevate the women’s game, from pay parity to increased prize money — now up from $2.88 million to $14 million for the event.
The Road Ahead
As the celebrations settle, India’s World Cup win stands as a watershed moment. For players like Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and the ever-consistent Deepti Sharma, it’s a culmination of years of persistence and belief. For the next generation, it’s an inspiration — proof that women’s cricket in India has not just arrived, but is here to dominate.
