The Honourable Prime Minister of the nation, Shri Narendra Modi, feted the Indian women’s cricket team following their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup triumph with their emphatic win over South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium.

The PM hosted the victorious team at his residence and lauded the exceptional fielding effort of Amanjot Kaur to get rid of the dangerous Laura Wolvaardt, likening it to Suryakumar Yadav’s memorable effort during the ICC T20I World Cup triumph. Modi also touched up on Harleen Deol’s incredible catch in England as well and reflected on the Indians’ effort.

Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma excelled with both bat and ball, each scoring a half-century in the first innings and later taking crucial wickets to trouble South Africa.

After a prolonged rain delay, South Africa chose to field first. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma opened for India, putting up a 106-run partnership before Mandhana was caught by Sinalo Jafta off Chloe Tryon for 45. Jemimah Rodrigues replaced Mandhana and added some runs.

Verma top-scored for India with 87 before being caught by Sune Luus off Ayabonga Khaka. Khaka also dismissed Rodrigues, who managed 24 runs.

Harmanpreet Kaur contributed 20 runs from 29 balls before being bowled by Nonkululeko Mlaba. Amanjot Kaur was dismissed for 12 runs, caught and bowled by Nadine de Klerk.

Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh put up a strong partnership towards the end of the innings. Deepti scored a run-a-ball 58 before being run out by Tryon, while Ghosh scored 34 off 24 balls before falling to Khaka.

India set a target of 299 for South Africa. Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits opened the innings with a 51-run stand before Amanjot Kaur ran out Brits for 23.

Sree Charani dismissed Anneke Bosch for a duck after six deliveries. Sune Luus and Wolvaardt pushed South Africa’s chase forward, but Shafali Verma took quick wickets, dismissing Luus for 25 and Marizanne Kapp for 4.

Jafta was caught by Radha Yadav off Deepti, adding 16 runs. Annerie Dercksen joined her captain to try and stabilise the innings before Deepti dismissed Dercksen for 35.

Wolvaardt completed her century in the 40th over, leaving South Africa needing 88 runs in the final 10 overs. However, India gained the upper hand when Amanjot caught Wolvaardt on the third attempt, giving Deepti her third wicket. Tryon became Deepti’s fourth victim, and Deepti ran out Khaka for 1 before sealing the win with her fifth wicket, dismissing de Klerk. This victory crowned India as the champions of the world.