On November 2nd in Navi Mumbai, India, history was made as South African and Indian Women’s Cricket Teams faced off against each other, neither having won a World Cup previously.
During the semifinals, India had faced off against Australia, the seven-time World Cup winner. Pratika Rawal, an Indian opener, missed the semifinals due to a sprained ankle from a previous match. An extremely high scorer, her absence placed the team at a disadvantage. Shafali Verma was named her replacement, a risky move since she was seen as having an inconsistent performance. However, during the match, she played a crucial role by taking two wickets, significantly giving India the upper hand. India won the semifinals with a score of 341/5 in 48.3 overs. South Africa won the semifinals against England, a strong, World Cup-winning team. That win itself made history as it was the first time they had made it to the Women’s Cricket World Cup.
It was these two history-making teams who were set to play against each other. India had made it to the finals two times previously, but they had never won. The game had another historic landmark: the match was the “highest-ever attendance for a group-stage fixture at any ICC Women’s event”. The player of the match was, surprisingly, Verma with 87 runs and two wickets.
This historic moment is more than just a win for the team: it has a resounding significance across the world. Team captain Harmanpreet Kaur worked as a railway clerk while training with the cricket team, running between morning and evening practices and working daily. The majority of women athletes remain significantly underpaid when compared to their male counterparts. This win shows a step forward to a more equal future. As vice captain, Smriti Mandhana said, the “ultimate dream is to see a street cricket match with two girls’ teams playing — there are a lot of girls who have started playing professionally — but just casually, for the love of the game”.
This game was historic for more than just the Indian cricket team: the South African team has proven themselves on a global stage, setting them up for future games. Furthermore, the win is a shining standard for future generations.