New Delhi: In the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, the Indian team defeated South Africa by 52 runs to become champions. This marks India’s first-ever ODI World Cup victory in women’s cricket.

In the final held at Dr. DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, Shafali Verma scored 87 runs, giving India a strong start. Deepti Sharma took 5 wickets, earning both the Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament awards.

The ICC announced a record prize pool this year — a total of USD 13.88 million (around ₹122.5 crore). The winning team received USD 4.48 million (about ₹39.55 crore), which is 239% higher than the USD 1.32 million awarded to Australia in the 2022 edition. KLOSIA Women's Rayon Printed Anarkali Kurta and Pant with Dupatta Set

The runner-up, South Africa, received USD 2.24 million (around ₹20 crore). This move is seen as a major step toward gender equality in cricket, with the women’s prize money now surpassing the USD 10 million offered in the men’s 2023 World Cup. Under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, India lifted the trophy for the first time, sparking celebrations among cricket fans nationwide. The BCCI also announced a ₹51 crore bonus for the team. This victory marks the beginning of a new era for women’s cricket.