Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma scripted a fairytale redemption as she led India to a historic ICC Women’s World Cup triumph, earning the Player of the Tournament title for her all-round brilliance. Eight years after India’s heartbreaking loss in the 2017 World Cup final, Deepti rose to become the first cricketer — male or female — to score over 200 runs and claim more than 20 wickets in a single 50-over World Cup. Her dominant campaign included 215 runs in seven innings at an average of 30.71, along with 22 wickets in nine matches, capped by a match-winning performance in the final.

In the 2025 title clash, Deepti showcased her complete skill set, scoring a run-a-ball 58 and sharing vital partnerships with captain Harmanpreet Kaur and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh. When South Africa’s chase seemed threatening at 124/2, she turned the tide with a game-changing spell, dismissing key batters Laura Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen before completing a five-wicket haul. Her final victim, Nadine de Klerk, sealed India’s long-awaited World Cup victory — a moment that symbolised both personal and national redemption.

Deepti’s journey to this triumph was anything but smooth. In the 2017 final, she had been India’s last recognised batter dismissed during a collapse that cost the team the title by just nine runs. Five years later, in 2022, a costly no-ball against South Africa denied India a semifinal berth, leaving her devastated once again. These setbacks, however, became the fuel for her resurgence, culminating in a dream campaign in 2025 that restored both her confidence and India’s pride on the global stage.

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Speaking after the final, Deepti called the victory “a dream come true,” dedicating her award to her parents. “It feels amazing to contribute in a World Cup final. We have learnt from every match and stayed together as a team,” she said. Reflecting on her evolution since 2017, she added, “There has been a lot of change—I just hope we get to play even more matches. I dedicate this trophy to my mom and dad.” Her journey stands as a powerful testament to resilience, growth, and the unwavering spirit of Indian women’s cricket.

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