Deepti Sharma made history in Navi Mumbai, scripting an achievement that transcends gender and generations. On a night when India defeated South Africa by 52 runs to lift the 2025 Women’s World Cup at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Deepti transformed from a match-winner into a legend.
The all-rounder delivered a performance for the ages — scoring a run-a-ball 58 in the first innings and returning to dismantle South Africa’s chase with a stunning five-wicket haul, including the last three wickets.
A Record Beyond Comparison
With that feat, Deepti became the first player — man or woman — to score a half-century and claim five wickets in a World Cup knockout match.
Her brilliance didn’t stop there. Across the tournament, she amassed 215 runs and 22 wickets, making her the first cricketer ever to achieve a double of 200-plus runs and 20-plus wickets in a single ODI World Cup edition — men’s or women’s. Her tally of 22 wickets also stands as the second-best in tournament history.
Before her, no Indian woman had ever produced a fifty-plus and five-wicket performance in the same ODI. Among men, only Yuvraj Singh had achieved something similar — scoring 50 and taking 5/31 against Ireland in the 2011 World Cup.
Words From the History-Maker
“Honestly, we still can’t believe this result,” Deepti said, clutching her trophy with a smile that said it all. “It feels like a dream. I’m just so happy I could contribute today. We always look to take positives from every match, and I really want to thank the fans — they came in huge numbers and supported us every step of the way. Without them, this wouldn’t be possible.”
She added, “As a team, we feel incredible after this win. I enjoy every challenge — whether it’s batting or bowling. Today, I had both in my hands, and I just wanted to play according to the situation. To perform like this in a World Cup final as an all-rounder — it can’t get better than this.”
Rising to the Top
Heading into the final, Deepti was ranked fifth in both the ICC ODI Bowler and All-Rounder rankings. After her record-breaking performance, a leap to the top spots seems inevitable.
For a player who thrives on challenges, Sunday night wasn’t just about numbers — it was about rewriting the limits of what’s possible. Deepti Sharma didn’t just win a World Cup; she redefined cricketing greatness.
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