Navi Mumbai: Harmanpreet Kaur’s girls kept their date with destiny to lift the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup at the DY Patil Stadium here on Sunday.
On a magical night, which brought back memories of June 25, 1983 when Kapil’s Devils won the ODI World Cup conquering the mighty West Indies at Lord’s, the women in blue rose to the occasion to win by 52 runs.
It was a team effort, but Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma stood out with their all-round show. Shafali, who was drafted into the squad from the semifinal stage after regular opener Pratika Rawal was ruled out with an injury, set the tone with an attacking 87. And then the part-time spinner came on to pick up two crucial wickets in consecutive overs.
Allrounder Deepti, considered to be the team’s Miss Reliable, scored a crucial run-a-ball 58 and then bagged a five-wicket haul to make it especially memorable for her.
South African skipper Kaura Wolvaardt couldn’t have done any more for her team. She followed up a record-breaking 169 in the semifinal with another century. But once she was out for 101, thanks to a juggling catch by Amanjyot Kaur, South Africa’s hopes vanished in thin air.
Quite aptly, Harmanpreet held on to a running catch to dismiss the last South Africa batter and seal India’s historic moment.
BRIEF SCORES
India 298/7 in 50 overs (Shafali Verma 87, Deepti Sharma 58, Richa Ghosh 34; Ayabonga Khaka 3/58).
South Africa 246 in 45.3 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 101, Annerie Dercksen 35; Deepti Sharma 5/39, Shafali Verma 2/36).
Result: India won by 52 runs.
Player of the Final: Shafali Verma (87 & 2/36).
Player of the World Cup: Deepti Sharma (209 runs & 22 wickets).
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