Harmanpreet Kaur Reflects On Emotional World Cup Triumph

Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur led her team to victory in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, ending India’s long wait for the trophy.

Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur finally achieved her World Cup dream after previous near-misses. The 2025 victory marked her redemption after India’s loss in the 2017 final. She described the moment she caught the final wicket as the realization of a vision she had held for years.

The win made Harmanpreet the first Indian woman to lift the World Cup trophy. She joined Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni as only the third Indian captain to achieve this feat.

Tendulkar’s Pre-Final Advice

Harmanpreet revealed that Sachin Tendulkar called her before the final with crucial advice. “The night before the match, Sachin (Tendulkar) sir called. He shared his experience and asked us to keep our balance. When the game is going fast, just slow it down a little,” Harmanpreet said on The ICC Review. “Try and control it because when you go too fast, chances are you can stumble. That’s what we need to avoid. I was just thinking of all the advice I was getting from the seniors. To keep control, stay patient, the moment will come and you will be able to grasp it.”

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The captain expressed her disbelief at finally winning the tournament. “I still can’t believe it. Whenever we are seeing each other, we’re just saying, ‘world champion’. It’s a very different feeling. We were waiting when we would get to feel this way.

“My mother and father were there. For me, it was a very special moment to lift the World Cup trophy with them. Since my childhood, they have heard me say that I want to wear India’s jersey, play for the country, lead the team and win the World Cup.”

Regarding her historic achievement as captain, she added, “To be honest, I’m not able to think about this right now. Maybe, I will realise after a few months what we have achieved. What we have given our country. I can’t process this right now,” said the 36-year-old on the unique feat. I spoke about the same with Amol (Muzumdar) sir, it feels like we have won some bilateral series and we’re going back home. The impact of it is something we’ll realise in a few months. Right now, it just feels like a dream.”

Harmanpreet praised Shafali Verma’s unexpected all-round performance in the final. “As soon she came into the squad, everyone was talking about whether we should play her or not. We knew that she has played in (T20) World Cups before. She has won the U19 World Cup as well. She was familiar with the pressure and the stage, and how important her role was. We were very clear that she was going to play in the final. She can come and bowl those few overs, if we needed.

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“When the partnership (of Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus) started building, I had the thought that we should at least give her one over and see what happens. And instantly, she got us two back-to-back breakthroughs. And that shows how much she wanted to perform for the team, and she did.”

She also acknowledged Smriti Mandhana’s consistent batting throughout the tournament. “Her contribution to the team will always be remembered. I remember, all of us, whenever she is batting, we are praying. Every day we are praying that she scores a century. Because when she gets the runs, everything else just falls into place. We have always prayed for the other to get the runs. Those are the kind of things that have helped us get across the line. It’s a team sport. Everyone’s contribution is really important. That’s what we have been talking about since Day 1. That everyone will need to bond together, only then can we cross the line.”