Deepti Sharma produced one of the finest all-round performances in women’s cricket history as India defeated South Africa by 52 runs to lift their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup title at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.

Deepti first scored a fighting 58 to help India post 298 for 7 and then turned destroyer with the ball, claiming 5 for 39 to bundle South Africa out for 246 in 45.3 overs. Her stunning effort made India only the third country after England and Australia to win both the men’s and women’s ODI World Cup titles.

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt fought a lone battle with a classy 101, but India’s spinners, led by Deepti, proved too strong in the end. It was a fairytale finish for the hosts, who had lost three consecutive matches earlier in the tournament and scrap

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