Harmanpreet’s catch to Devine’s farewell: Unforgettable highlights from the Women’s World Cup

Women’s World Cup 2025: India’s historic win, record crowds, and unforgettable moments that defined the tournament.

The 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup will be remembered as a turning point in the history of women’s cricket — a celebration of excellence, emotion, and evolution. India lifted the trophy for the first time after defeating South Africa in the final at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, bringing the nation to its feet and etching a golden chapter in cricketing history.

A record-breaking tournament
From day one, the World Cup captured global attention. The opening match between India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati witnessed a record 22,843 fans — the largest-ever crowd for a Women’s World Cup group game. In just the first 13 matches, over 60 million people tuned in, and total watch-time crossed seven billion minutes — a staggering twelve-fold rise from the 2022 edition.

The India–Pakistan clash on October 5 became the most-watched women’s match in history, drawing 28.4 million viewers and nearly two billion minutes of viewing. Online, the India–Australia fixture set another milestone with 4.8 million concurrent viewers — proof that women’s cricket had truly arrived on the global stage.

Moments that captured the world’s heart

Harmanpreet’s gravity-defying catch
The defining image of the final came when Harmanpreet Kaur sprinted back and dived full stretch to dismiss Nadine de Klerk. For a moment, the stadium fell silent — then erupted as she clutched the ball to her chest. The catch didn’t just end South Africa’s hopes; it sealed India’s maiden world title and gave fans a moment for the ages.

Sophie Devine’s farewell to the 50-over game
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine’s ODI farewell was an emotional highlight. After her team’s final match in Visakhapatnam, players from both sides formed a guard of honour for the veteran who redefined all-round brilliance. With 4,279 runs and 111 wickets in 159 ODIs, Devine walked off as one of the sport’s most admired figures — her smile masking tears of pride and nostalgia.

Jemimah Rodrigues’ tears of joy
Jemimah Rodrigues’ unbeaten 127 against Australia in the semi-final was the stuff of dreams. Her innings guided India to a record chase of 339 — the highest successful pursuit in women’s ODI history. As victory was sealed, Jemimah sank to her knees in tears — overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment and years of perseverance paying off.

Nat Sciver-Brunt’s tribute to motherhood
In Colombo, Nat Sciver-Brunt’s fifth World Cup century was followed by one of the most heartwarming celebrations of the tournament. After completing her 117, she lifted her bat and rocked it like a baby — a touching nod to her infant son, Theo. The gesture beautifully symbolized balance, love, and strength — the essence of the modern athlete.

Sportsmanship in the final moments
After the heartbreak of the final, the sight of Jemimah Rodrigues and Radha Yadav consoling their Delhi Capitals teammate Marizanne Kapp moved fans worldwide. Smriti Mandhana’s comforting words to Laura Wolvaardt, the tournament’s top scorer, reflected the deeper spirit of cricket — one of respect, compassion, and shared humanity.