Women's World Cup 2025 Final: 2 Indian players who starred and 1 who flopped vs South Africa ft. Shafali Verma

India scripted history in the final of the 2025 Women's World Cup as they beat South Africa by 52 runs at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, November 2. The Women in Blue clinched the title for the first time in their history, capping off a spectacular tournament in which they beat the mighty Aussies in the semifinal.

After South Africa won the toss and opted to field first, India's openers gave them the upper hand in the contest. Although there were a few hiccups through the middle overs, the hosts reached a decent 298/7. A spirited century from Laura Wolvaardt wasn't enough as the Indian spinners combined well to restrict the Proteas to 246.

On that note, here are two Indian players who starred and one who flopped in the final of the Women's World Cup 2025.

#3 Star - Shafali Verma

India v South Africa: ICC Women's Cricket World Cup India 2025 Final - Source: Getty

Brought into the team for the knockouts in place of the injured Pratika Rawal, Shafali Verma was under pressure to deliver. She got off to a start in the semifinal before being trapped in front and would've been keen on making a statement in the final, but even she may not have predicted just how swimmingly her day would go.

Shafali seemed to be in pristine touch right from the outset, stroking a few crisp drives to ensure that South Africa were under pressure in the opening powerplay. She accelerated as the innings progressed, surviving a drop from Anneke Bosch to make a match-winning 87 that featured two big sixes.

Surprisingly, Harmanpreet Kaur turned to Shafali with the ball. The young opener immediately delivered, having Sune Luus caught and bowled and Marizanne Kapp strangled down the leg-side.

It was a performance out of Shafali's wildest fantasies, and it came on the big night.

#2 Flop - Radha Yadav

Playing ahead of Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav was one of the few Indian players to finish the final without a positive contribution. The left-arm spinner, who has an unimpressive ODI record, was the most expensive bowler on the night.

Radha often lost her radar, sending down full-tosses and looseners down the leg-side. One of her full-tosses was so high that it was called a no-ball, with Annerie Dercksen dispatching both that delivery as well as the ensuing free hit. The Proteas gained some serious momentum during that phase, with Radha being solely responsible for that shift.

Radha's five overs that went for 45 runs didn't prove costly in the end, though, thanks to...

#1 Star - Deepti Sharma

India's star performer with both bat and ball in the final, Deepti Sharma finished with a half-century and five scalps. The experienced all-rounder was also adjudged the Player of the Tournament.

Deepti ensured that India didn't lose a great deal of momentum after a couple of quick wickets in the middle overs. Although she could've pressed on the pedal earlier, the left-hander did her bit to take the Women in Blue close to the 300-run mark.

More importantly, with the chase in the balance, Deepti picked up the important wickets of Dercksen, Laura Wolvaardt and Chloe Tryon to make India the firm favorites. She also drilled the final nail in the coffin, having Nadine de Klerk caught at cover.

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Edited by Sai Krishna