NEW DELHI: As the timeless saying goes, “Every dark night is followed by a new, bright sunrise.” On a momentous Sunday, India experienced that very dawn, one that finally erased the lingering heartbreak of November 19, 2023. Two years after the men’s team faced a crushing defeat against Australia in the ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad, the Indian women’s team, under the inspiring leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, wrote a magnificent redemption story, lifting their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup trophy in Navi Mumbai.
The emotional contrast between these two Novembers couldn’t have been more profound. The indelible images of a teary-eyed Rohit Sharma and a visibly gutted Virat Kohli in 2023 had been etched into India’s collective sporting memory. However, on November 2, 2025, the electrifying sight of Harmanpreet’s joyous leap and her team’s heartfelt embrace at DY Patil Stadium became the ultimate balm for those old wounds.
This powerful sentiment was perfectly encapsulated by IPL franchise Delhi Capitals, who shared a poignant montage blending the agony of 2023 with the ecstasy of 2025, simply captioned: “For every Nov 19, there’s Nov 2.” The video quickly went viral, resonating deeply with billions of hearts that had yearned for this redemption.
India’s women delivered a performance that truly matched the depth of this emotion. They posted an imposing 298 for 7, fueled by Shafali Verma’s brilliant 87 and Deepti Sharma’s exceptional all-round display of 55 runs and 5/39 wickets. They then confidently bowled out South Africa for 246, securing a decisive 52-run victory.
As AR Rahman’s “Vande Mataram” resonated through the night air, Harmanpreet sealed the historic moment by taking the catch of Nadine de Klerk. Commentator Ian Bishop’s profound words, “inspiring generations,” perfectly captured the poetic essence of the occasion.
For Rohit Sharma, witnessing the triumph from the stands must have carried an extraordinary significance. And for Harmanpreet herself, who had experienced the bitter sting of losing a World Cup final eight years prior, this victory was redemption of the sweetest possible kind.
If June 25, 1983, marked the dawn of India’s cricketing aspirations, then November 2, 2025, will undoubtedly be remembered as the rise of a glorious new era – one spearheaded by eleven fearless women whose triumph will inspire countless girls to pursue their dreams with bat and ball.