It was more than just a trophy, it was a moment that made millions of dreams come true. After years of near-misses and heartbreaks, the Indian women's cricket team finally lifted their maiden ICC Women's World Cup, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a commanding display that blended grit, grace, and glory.

As the Women in Blue celebrated, the ICC shared a video that melted hearts across the cricketing world. The post, captioned "Champions of today Legends who paved the way", showed the newly crowned champions meeting Indian cricket icons, Jhulan Goswami, Mithali Raj, and Anjum Chopra, women who carried the torch long before this golden generation arrived. The emotional exchange was a bridge between eras, between those who dreamed and those who fulfilled it.

A post shared by ICC (@icc)

A Victory Years in the Making

India's journey to this moment has been nothing short of cinematic. From the heartbreak of the 2005 and 2017 World Cup finals to the elation of 2025, it's been a long road to redemption. In the final, Shafali Verma was at her fearless best, smashing 87 off 78 balls and later picking up 2 wickets. Deepti Sharma added a classy 58 and a stunning 5/39, proving why she's one of the most complete players in world cricket. Their brilliance powered India to 298/7, a total South Africa never quite caught up to.

"This Is Our 1983 Moment"

Cricketing greats and fans alike called this victory historic, one that would change women's cricket forever. Former India captain Diana Edulji said it best: "This is the 1983 moment for us."

IPL chairman Arun Dhumal echoed the sentiment and said, "What happened to men's cricket after 1983 will now happen to women's cricket. This is a defining moment not just for India but for the world."

Former cricketer Reetinder Singh Sodhi added, "This win will inspire thousands of schoolgirls to pick up a bat. The BCCI and Jay Shah deserve credit for the support they've given women's cricket."

Beyond the Scoreboard

The victory wasn't just about runs and wickets, it was about legacy, representation, and belief. The sight of young girls cheering in the stands, and the emotional embrace between the current players and their predecessors, symbolised the evolution of Indian cricket.

MENAFN03112025007385015968ID1110284877