Following India’s monumental victory in the ICC Women’s World Cup, captain Harmanpreet Kaur shared a poignant photograph of herself, cradling the trophy as if it were a cherished dream finally realized. More than just a celebratory image, her T-shirt conveyed a powerful statement: ‘Cricket is a gentleman’s EVERYONE’S game,’ with ‘gentleman’s’ boldly crossed out. This declaration came after India’s historic triumph over South Africa in the final at Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium.
This victory was deeply emotional, not just for Harmanpreet and her squad, but also for those who experienced the agonizing near-miss of 2017, when India narrowly lost the final to England at Lord’s.
[Image: India’s players celebrating with the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 trophy after defeating South Africa in the final.]
In the aftermath of that 2017 defeat, many players faced disheartening taunts. Punam Raut, a crucial member of that team who scored a magnificent 86 runs in the final, recalled the cruel remarks: ‘What have you ever achieved? Have you ever won anything? What can girls even do? Can girls really play cricket?’ She recounted how these words, often followed by mocking laughter from boys, left a deep wound that took nine long years to heal.
Punam, sharing her emotions in an exclusive interview, expressed profound joy and couldn’t hold back her tears. ‘Many, many congratulations to this team. We have proved it—the answer has been delivered,’ she said. ‘When I started playing cricket, I was bullied by boys. They ridiculed me, claiming girls couldn’t play cricket. I was young, I was angry, but I couldn’t articulate my feelings then. Their words hit me hard.’
She continued, ‘I constantly questioned how they could say such things. After those experiences, we resolved that one day, the entire world would acknowledge that girls can indeed play cricket. I believe Harmanpreet Kaur must have endured similar struggles. We both debuted in the same World Cup in 2009 and shared a similar journey, being of the same age. I’m certain Harmanpreet faced similar challenges, which is why she chose to declare, ‘It’s not only a gentleman’s game. It’s everyone’s game.’’
Punam emphasized, ‘Harmanpreet’s message perfectly captured the team’s objective. Even in 2017, we played with the aim of inspiring all those girls whose parents were holding them back. It’s crucial to change that mindset. A World Cup presents the perfect stage for such a statement, and Harmanpreet has truly spearheaded a massive transformation in Indian women’s cricket.’
Reflecting on the past, Punam added, ‘Losing the trophy by just nine runs last time left an unhealed wound. It bothered me for years that we couldn’t score those extra runs. But Harmanpreet has now achieved it, and that painful memory has finally begun to fade. That defeat haunted all of us for nine years.’
The Divine Intervention of Shafali Verma
When the World Cup squad was first announced, Shafali Verma wasn’t even listed as a standby player, watching her teammates from her home in Rohtak. However, destiny had other plans. A last-minute call-up arrived after Pratika Rawal, a player in superb form, was unfortunately ruled out due to injury during India’s final league match against Bangladesh.
[Image: India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur poses with the winning trophy after their win.]
Shafali’s journey was brief yet unforgettable, playing only two matches in the tournament: the semi-final against Australia and the grand final against South Africa. These appearances were enough to etch her name permanently in women’s cricket history. In the ultimate showdown, she delivered a spectacular all-round performance, scoring 87 runs and claiming two crucial wickets, rightfully earning her the Player of the Match award.
Punam lauded Shafali’s resilience: ‘Shafali’s declaration that ‘God has sent me here’ was absolutely true. Such events are truly written in one’s destiny. Who could have foreseen Shafali Verma becoming a World Cup champion? No one. Yet, it happened. That young woman displayed incredible maturity, stepping directly into such high-stakes matches, including a World Cup semi-final. It’s an incredibly challenging feat.’
[Image: India’s Shafali Verma plays a shot during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final match.]
She continued, ‘While Pratika’s injury was a shock, Shafali’s comeback and performance were extraordinary. She didn’t score much in the semi-final, struggling to get a good start. But to bounce back so strongly in the final—that’s a huge achievement. She managed the immense pressure with remarkable composure.’
[Image: India’s Smriti Mandhana brings teammate Pratika Rawal on a wheelchair at the presentation ceremony.]
Punam noted the team’s collective spirit: ‘This team exudes a unique quality—from the youngest players to the most experienced, their confidence was sky-high. It was truly God’s plan. Pratika believed she would bowl and take wickets, and Harmanpreet gave her that opportunity, which was incredible.’
Unity: The Cornerstone of the 2025 Champions
Throughout the tournament, Harmanpreet transcended her role as captain, embodying the spirit of an elder sister. She was frequently seen offering guidance and encouragement to young talents like Kranti Gaud, Amanjot Kaur, and Shree Charani. Punam believes this powerful sense of ‘unity’ was the driving force behind India’s glorious victory.
Punam observed, ‘The confidence and unity within this team are palpable; they genuinely support each other. Despite their youth, the players exhibit remarkable maturity, understanding how to uplift one another. The team’s confidence was distinct, and their collective eagerness was clearly visible.’
She concluded, ‘In 2017, certain elements didn’t quite align. This time, the team meticulously learned from those past experiences. Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Deepti Sharma, all veterans from the 2017 World Cup, undoubtedly shared their insights, which greatly benefited the entire squad.’
Punam added, ‘During the 2017 final, almost nine players were experiencing a World Cup final for the very first time. However, this time, the team’s collective experience was significantly enhanced, largely due to the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Competing on such a grand stage, especially alongside Australian and other international legends, builds immense self-belief. The WPL has undeniably elevated the players’ confidence, making all the difference in this World Cup win.’