New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Monday hailed the Indian women’s cricket team for making history by winning the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, describing it as a “watershed moment for Indian sport.”

“My heartiest congratulations to each and every member of the Indian women's cricket team on winning the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025! They have created history by winning it for the first time. They have been playing well, and today they got the result befitting their talent and performance. This watershed moment will take women's cricket to even higher performances. I admire the way the girls have done India proud,” President Murmu posted on X soon after India sealed a 52-run victory over South Africa in the final.

India clinched their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup title at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, defeating South Africa in front of a packed crowd. All-rounder Deepti Sharma starred in the memorable triumph with a superb all-round performance, scoring a fighting 58 and claiming a five-wicket haul (5/39).

Put in to bat first, India rode on Deepti’s half-century and a solid top-order display to post 298/7 in 50 overs. South Africa’s chase, anchored by captain Laura Wolvaardt’s valiant innings, ended at 246 in 45.3 overs as the Indian bowlers held their nerve to script a famous win.

With this victory, India became only the third nation, after England and Australia, to have won both the men’s and women’s ODI World Cups.

The triumph was particularly remarkable given India’s rocky start in the tournament. After losing three consecutive matches in the group stage and narrowly qualifying for the semi-finals, the team bounced back in style, stunning Australia before overpowering South Africa in the final.

Wolvaardt fought hard, striking boundaries with ease, but lacked support from the other end. Earlier, Tazmin Brits’ run-out by Amanjot Kaur broke South Africa’s momentum after a 50-run opening stand.

India’s long wait for a women’s world title finally came to an end, a victory that promises to inspire generations of young cricketers to follow in the champions’ footsteps.

IANS