Women's cricket Sharma shines as India win World Cup for first time

DEEPTI Sharma starred with bat and ball as India claimed a maiden World Cup triumph after beating South Africa by 52 runs in an entertaining final.

- 

Harmanpreet Kaur holds the trophy aloft as India celebrate winning the Women's World Cup

(Getty Images)

Following a delayed start due to rain, Shafali Verma smashed 87 from 78 balls and Sharma scored 58 as India set a target of 299, while Ayabonga Khaka was pick of the bowlers for the Proteas, finishing with 3-58.

South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt spearheaded their response with a century and while wickets fell around her, she gave her side a glimmer of hope after putting on a 61-run sixth-wicket partnership with Annerie Dercksen.

However, Wolvaardt was eventually dismissed in the 42nd over by Sharma, who took 5-39 to help bowl South Africa out for 246 and steer India to a World Cup win on home soil.