International Women’s Day: It is said that history is written. On November 2, 2025, the Indian women’s cricket team also did the same by winning the ODI World Cup title for the first time. He wrote the historic story of becoming world champion by defeating South Africa in the final match played at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Under the captaincy of Harmanpreet Kaur, the team brought glory not only to India but to the whole of Asia. They became the first Asian team to win the Women’s ODI World Cup. Although the entire team has a big role in making India the world champion of women’s cricket, but the matter of those 8 is very important, if it had not been there then the Indian women’s cricket team would not have achieved the title of champion.
1. Harmanpreet Kaur
The story starts with the initial conflict of the tournament. India won the first two matches, but then faced three defeats. There was pressure on the team, but captain Harmanpreet Kaur never gave up. In the entire tournament, he scored 260 runs in 9 matches at an average of 32.50. An innings of 89 runs against Australia in the semi-finals gave India the courage to chase the huge target of 339 runs. His captaincy, fielding and keeping the team united as a senior player was the magic that took India to the final. In reply to South Africa’s 246 runs in the final, they fought till the last ball. Harmanpreet had said, we were waiting for this moment. And, their wait came to a beautiful end.
2. Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana was the brightest star of the tournament. She became India’s highest run-scorer by scoring 434 runs in 9 matches at an average of 54.25. He gave continuous partnership throughout the World Cup. First with Pratika Rawal and then with Shefali in the knock out of the tournament.
3. Pratika Rawal
Smriti’s opening partner Pratika Rawal also did wonders in the tournament. Playing only 7 matches, he scored 308 runs at an average of 51.33. His century of 122 runs in the must-win match against New Zealand showed India the path to the semi-finals. Technically strong Pratika made a strong opening partnership with Smriti. Unfortunately, due to injury she could not play in the knockout, but the team stood on her foundation.
4. Shefali Verma
Then came Shefali Verma’s turn. He played only 2 matches in place of injured Pratika, but what a feat he did. His explosive innings of 87 runs in 78 balls in the final gave India a strong base. She became the player of the match. Not only in batting, but also in bowling, he took 2 wickets. He broke the back of South Africa by dismissing Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp. Shefali proved with her performance in the final that she is a big player in big matches.
5. Jemima Rodriguez
Jemimah Rodrigues becomes the keeper in India’s middle order. He scored 292 runs in 8 matches at an average of 58.40. After being dropped against England, Jemima made a comeback and scored a half-century against New Zealand. But the real magic was seen in the semi-finals, where while chasing the target of 339 runs against Australia, he scored unbeaten 127 runs on 134 balls. This innings of Jemima became an example.
6. Richa Ghosh
Wicketkeeper batsman Richa Ghosh played the role of finisher. He scored 235 runs in 8 matches with a strike rate of 133.52 and an average of 33.16. Richa’s strike rate was the highest in the entire tournament, which proved to be the biggest weapon to handle the lower order.
7. Deepti Sharma
Now comes the story of all-rounder Deepti Sharma. She was the biggest star of the tournament. Deepti was chosen Player of the Tournament for scoring 215 runs in 9 matches and taking 22 wickets. He did wonders in the final against South Africa, where apart from scoring 58 runs, he took 5/39 in 9.3 overs and bowled out South Africa for 246.
8. Shri Charani
The talk of Indian women’s cricket team becoming world champion is incomplete without Shri Charani. Mr. Charani quietly did his work with the ball in the tournament. He took 14 wickets in 9 matches. His controlling bowling in the middle overs changed many matches.
Golden era begins in India’s women’s cricket
These eight brave men – Harmanpreet, Smriti, Pratika, Shefali, Jemima, Richa, Deepti and Shri Charani – together made India the champion. From defeating 7-time champion Australia in the semi-finals to defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final, every moment was the fruit of their hard work. Smriti’s class, Shefali’s aggression, Jemima’s patience, Deepti’s all-round magic, Richa’s power, Pratika’s stability, Harmanpreet’s leadership ability and Shri Charani’s hidden magic, this is the story not just of a World Cup, but of the beginning of the golden era of Indian women’s cricket.