As India lifted their maiden Women’s World Cup crown with a 52-run win over South Africa, it was Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma who stood out as the defining figures of the tournament.

Deepti was named Player of the Tournament for her all-round consistency and composure throughout the campaign.

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In the final, she scored a vital 58 and picked up a match-winning five-wicket haul, sealing India’s long-awaited world title.

She also finished as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker with 22 scalps in 9 innings and became the only player in World Cup knockouts, be it men’s or women’s, to score a fifty and take a five-for.

Shafali Verma, whose aggressive 87 off 78 balls laid the foundation for India’s total of 298/7, was named Player of the Match.

• Player of the Match: Shafali Verma
• Player of the Tournament: Deepti Sharma
• Most runs: Laura Wolvaardt (571 runs)
• Most wickets: Deepti Sharma (22)

Her innings, full of clean hitting and control, broke several age and performance records and symbolised her redemption after being brought in for the semi-final after an injury to Pratika Rawal.

For South Africa, captain Laura Wolvaardt ended as the tournament’s top run-scorer with 571 runs in nine innings. Her century in the final, a fluent 101 off 98 balls, etched her name in history as the player with the most runs in a single edition of the Women’s World Cup.

After Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to field, India’s openers Smriti Mandhana (45) and Shafali added 104 runs for the first wicket — only the second century partnership ever in a Women’s World Cup final.

Deepti and Richa Ghosh (34 off 24) provided the finishing touches to take India close to 300.

In reply, Wolvaardt’s effort kept South Africa in the contest before India’s spinners, led by Deepti, took control. Her 5/39 and Shafali’s two wickets bundled the Proteas out for 246.

It was a fitting end to a campaign marked by composure and belief.

From chasing down 339 against Australia in the semifinal to holding their nerve in the final, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side delivered when it mattered most.

From chasing down 339 against Australia in the semifinal to holding their nerve in the final, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side delivered when it mattered most.