India (298-7) beat South Africa (246) by 52 runs
As India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, took the final catch to create history, it was the culmination of a change in the hierarchy of women’s cricket.
Kaur took off running and was swarmed by her teammates as India won their first Women’s World Cup by 52 runs against South Africa in a landmark moment for the sport.
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The last two major ICC finals have been contested without England or Australia playing a part and as India celebrated with the World Cup aloft, it seems inconceivable that it will be the last time they do so.
When Amanjot Kaur conducted an emotion-filled interview afterwards, she said: “We are going to dominate every form of cricket all over the world.” Other sides should be warned.
India, as a nation, were late to develop the women’s game. When the World Cup was last held in the country back in 2013, it barely made a ripple on the national consciousness. Venues were changed days before the tournament so Mumbai’s biggest stadium – the Wankhede – could host the Ranji Trophy final. The team even practised for the event against under-16 and under-19 boys teams, and were originally placed in a budget hotel. Twelve years later and Kaur is undoubtedly about to become a household name, and Jemimah Rodrigues already has over 2.5m followers on Instagram.
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India star Jemimah Rodrigues celebrates winning the World Cup final – Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas
India’s domestic women’s competition, the Women’s Premier League (WPL), might only be two years old, but it is by far the most lucrative franchise league in the women’s game.
It was therefore no surprise that this year’s Cricket World Cup final in Navi Mumbai was a sold-out affair, and for Kaur, who was here playing for India 12 years ago, it is the climax of a long and distinguished career.
Harmanpreet Kaur parades the trophy around the stadium – Getty Images/Pankaj Nangia
For the rest of the world, it is a wake-up call. In their semi-final, India methodically chased down a record-breaking 338 against an Australia side who went into the tournament as favourites. It was the highest run chase in women’s ODI cricket, and in Sunday’s final, with history beckoning, they made no mistake.
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It was not the most complete tournament for the hosts. India limped through the group stages having been beaten by England, Australia and South Africa, yet when it mattered they delivered.
While their semi-final victory over Australia caused half of the Indian players to break down into tears, for the final, the overwhelming emotion was pure joy.
After a rain delay, India put on 298 for seven, having been 158 for one at the halfway mark and going strongly. Shafali Verma top scored with 87 and Deepti Sharma hit 58 as South Africa were left to rue five dropped catches.
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South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt at one stage looked on course to repeat her semi-final heroics against England, when she struck 169 runs, but when she was caught out for 101 after a juggled catch, their already-fading hopes were quashed.
The World Cup trophy has its first new name on it since 2000, and it is hard to believe India will stop there.
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