- Diana Edulji, who served as the captain of the Indian women's cricket team, praised the team for winning the historic ICC Women's World Cup this past Sunday
- She called it a proud moment for the nation and proclaimed it to be "our 1983 moment"
Former India captain Diana Edulji hailed the Indian women's cricket team for winning their maiden ICC Women's World Cup title, terming this day a proud moment for the country and underlining that it is "our 1983 moment."
She congratulated the players, the BCCI, and the ICC for promoting women's cricket in the best possible way.
Speaking to ANI after the match, Diana said, “It is a proud moment. The team has performed exceptionally well. I congratulate the players, BCCI, and the ICC for their continuous support in developing women’s cricket. The girls deserve all the accolades. I’ve waited for this since 2017—this truly feels like our 1983 moment. I especially want to congratulate Richa and Shafali, who have now won both the U-19 and senior World Cups.”
The long-awaited dream of India finally came true as they won the ICC Women's World Cup after losses in the 2005 and 2017 finals.
The team defeated South Africa by 52 runs in a complete dominance. Shafali Verma came up with an all-round performance of 87 runs and 2/36, while Deepti Sharma notched 58 runs and 5/39 to make it a memorable day for Indian cricket.
Indian Premier League chairman Arun Dhumal described the triumph as a turning point for women’s cricket worldwide: “This is a defining moment. Just as the 1983 World Cup transformed men’s cricket in India, this will do the same for women’s cricket.”
Former cricketer Reetinder Singh Sodhi also praised the team, describing the victory as a landmark win that will motivate young girls in India to take up cricket.
“This is a major victory. The Indian women’s team has set a great example. BCCI and Jay Shah have done excellent work. This win will motivate schoolgirls to pursue cricket as a career“, he added.
South Africa, in the final game of the tournament, chose to bowl first. A century opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana (45) and Shafali Verma (87) was followed by a 62-run stand with Jemimah Rodrigues (24). Harmanpreet Kaur (20), Deepti Sharma (58), and Richa Ghosh (34) further contributed to push India to 298/7 in 50 overs.
Ayabonga Khaka was South Africa’s top bowler with 3/58. South Africa got off to a decent start while chasing but the Indian bowlers, first Shafali's 2/36 and then Shree Charani, pegged them back at 148/5.
A valiant century from captain Laura Wolvaardt - 101-run knock - and a 61-run partnership with Annerie Dercksen - 37 runs - kept them in the hunt, before Deepti's crucial spell saw India again in the driver's seat. Deepti clinched five for 39 as India bowled out South Africa for 246 for it’s first-ever World Cup title.
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