“Every moment felt like a step closer to something bigger than all of us."

That’s how India’s World Cup hero Deepti Sharma summed up her journey after leading the country to its first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup title and clinching the Player of the Tournament award.

In a rain-affected final at a packed DY Patil Stadium, India posted a commanding 298/7, driven by Shafali Verma’s 87 and Deepti’s blistering 58. South Africa, despite captain Laura Wolvaardt’s fighting century (101), were bowled out for 246, handing India a 52-run win and their maiden World Cup crown.

Deepti capped off her dream night with an all-round masterclass — a fluent fifty followed by a five-wicket haul (5/39) — guiding India home in the closing stages to script a historic triumph.

Following the win, an emotional De

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