India created history on Sunday as they defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the Women’s World Cup final at Navi Mumbai and clinched their maiden ICC Trophy. Deepti Sharma snapped up 4 wickets including Laura Wolvaardt who was looking ominous with 101 runs.

Earlier, Shafali Verma’s robust 87 was followed by combative knocks from Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh before South Africa rallied to limit India to an under-par 298/7. Deepti’s run-a-ball 58 with three fours and a six and Richa (34 off 24 balls, 3x4s, 2x6s) provided the much-needed late impetus with a 47-run partnership for the sixth wicket after India’s innings faltered in the middle overs with Jemimah Rodrigues (24) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (20) failing to convert their starts.

A plucky South Africa seemed to have spoiled India’

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