Deepti Sharma starred with bat and ball as India claimed a maiden World Cup triumph after beating South Africa by 52 runs in an entertaining final.

Following a delayed start due to rain, Shafali Verma smashed 87 from 78 balls and Sharma scored 58 as India set a target of 299, while Ayabonga Khaka was pick of the bowlers for the Proteas, finishing with three wickets for 58 runs.

South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt spearheaded their response with a hard-fought century and while wickets fell around her, she gave her side a glimmer of hope after putting on a 61-run sixth-wicket partnership with Annerie Dercksen.

However, Wolvaardt was eventually dismissed in the 42nd over by Sharma, who took five wickets for 39 runs to help bowl South Africa out for 246 and steer India to a World Cup w

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