India Wins First Women's World Cup in Navi Mumbai

India has won the Women's World Cup for the first time ever, beating South Africa by a small margin in Navi Mumbai. This is a big change for women's cricket.
By Newsroom | Sports, Cricket |

India has clinched its first-ever Women's World Cup title, defeating South Africa in a dramatic final at Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium. The victory, secured by an "all-round masterclass" from Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma, marks a historic moment for Indian cricket.

The winning moment came down to a "gravity-defying juggling catch" by Amanjot Kaur, sealing the win against a valiant effort from South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt, who scored a century. Verma also etched her name in the record books, becoming the youngest cricketer to score a World Cup final fifty and forming the first century opening partnership for India in an ICC World Cup knockout match. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur was visibly emotional, weeping as she embraced her teammates after the culmination of a "bumpy road" to the final.

Women T20 World Cup: In search of maiden title, India show trust in familiar core - 1

The squad selected for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup 2026 appears to largely mirror the successful World Cup contingent, indicating a "trust in a familiar core." This selection comes as India prepares for a T20I series against England in May and June, serving as their "final preparation" before the global tournament. The World Cup campaign itself is set to commence on June 14th against Pakistan.

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Notably, the T20 World Cup squad includes four players—Bharti Fulmali, Nandani Sharma, Shree Charani, and Kranti Gaud—earning their "first taste of an ICC Women's T20 World Cup."

Women T20 World Cup: In search of maiden title, India show trust in familiar core - 2

Test Match Squad Named

Alongside the T20 World Cup preparations, India has also named its squad for a one-off Test against England at Lord's, scheduled for July 10-13. This squad shares many names with the T20 contingent.

Background

This World Cup triumph positions India as the "first non-western nation to win the Women's World Cup," breaking a streak previously held by England, Australia, and New Zealand. The win has sparked nationwide celebrations, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who previously juggled a day job with her cricketing ambitions, now a celebrated national figure. The success is seen as a potential catalyst for a "new world order in women's cricket," contingent on strategic investment. The tournament saw India navigate through tough opponents, with some observers noting the team "stumbled upon a formidable team combination" that proved instrumental in their campaign.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did India win the Women's World Cup in Navi Mumbai?
India won its first Women's World Cup title by defeating South Africa in a close final match at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Key players like Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma performed well, and a great catch by Amanjot Kaur secured the win.
Q: Who was the star player in the Women's World Cup final?
Shafali Verma was a star player, becoming the youngest to score a fifty in a World Cup final and helping India get a strong start. Laura Wolvaardt of South Africa also scored a century in the match.
Q: What does this win mean for women's cricket in India and globally?
This historic win makes India the first non-western nation to win the Women's World Cup, potentially starting a new era in women's cricket. It has led to celebrations across India and could encourage more investment in the sport.
Q: What are the next steps for the Indian women's cricket team after winning the World Cup?
India will now prepare for the T20 World Cup starting June 14th, with their first match against Pakistan. They will also play a T20I series against England in May and June as final practice. A Test match against England is also scheduled for July.