India Clinches Maiden Women's Cricket World Cup with Mandhana Leading Charge

India's women's cricket team won their maiden ICC Women's World Cup in 2025, defeating South Africa in the final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Smriti Mandhana, the team's vice-captain and second-highest run-scorer in the tournament with 434 runs, described the victory as the culmination of 45 sleepless nights and emphasized the team's responsibility to grow women's cricket beyond just winning. She highlighted the team's unity, positivity, and mutual support as key factors in their success, along with a focused commitment to fitness and improvement after past heartbreaks in previous tournaments. The team benefited from strong contributions throughout the campaign, including a century partnership between Mandhana and Shafali Verma in the final. Deepti Sharma was named Player of the Tournament for her all-round performance, including a crucial 5-wicket haul in the final, underscoring the depth and balance of the Indian side. The historic win was celebrated as a significant moment in Indian women's cricket, reflecting the team's resilience and the passionate support from fans at home.