They say catches win matches, and some even decide the fate of an entire tournament. Just like Kapil Dev’s iconic backward-running catch in the 1983 World Cup final, India’s all-rounder Amanjot Kaur delivered such a moment in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup final. Under the dazzling lights and amidst the thunderous roars of 40,000 fans at the DY Patil Stadium, Amanjot produced a truly unforgettable play.
South African captain Laura Wolvaardt was in magnificent form, scoring a composed and classy 101, guiding her team steadily towards what seemed like an inevitable victory. But then, she powerfully struck a ball towards deep mid-wicket. Amanjot, sprinting with incredible determination, managed to latch onto the ball on her third attempt, securing a catch that changed the game’s momentum.
The stadium erupted in a deafening cheer as Amanjot’s teammates swarmed her, their relief palpable across the field. It was the catch that emphatically declared: this was India’s night. Nothing could stand in their way.
Reflecting on the moment, a beaming Amanjot told reporters in the Mixed Media Zone, “Oh my God, it was the toughest catch of my life. I’ve never fumbled while taking a catch before this. Usually, I either catch it cleanly or drop it completely—there’s no in-between! For the first time, I felt God gave me three chances. It was a crucial dismissal; we knew she’d be looking to attack aggressively after reaching her century and charging from one end.”
A natural talent in the field, Amanjot’s contributions extended beyond that spectacular catch. She also played a significant role in India’s World Cup victory by executing the crucial run-out of Tazmin Brits, breaking a vital opening partnership for South Africa. “The wicket was playing better when they were batting. We understood that breaking partnerships was absolutely key. It’s challenging to field under lights with the dew, and while we had a few lapses, it felt like destiny wanted us to win,” she added.
Before the World Cup even began, Amanjot’s journey was marked by resilience. She secretly battled an injury, hiding it from her family to train and recover at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Sharing a lighthearted moment about her family’s understanding of cricket, the young player chuckled, “I haven’t even spoken to my family yet. All I know is they burst crackers, and my grandparents are sound asleep. This morning, my aunt told me to just swing without worrying about seeing the ball. My family doesn’t quite grasp cricket; for them, if the ball hits the bat, it’s a four. If it doesn’t, you’re out. And if you’re leg-before, they wonder why you’re even carrying a bat!”
Amanjot also praised her senior teammate, Deepti Sharma, who had an immense impact on India’s campaign. Deepti scored a crucial 58 in the final and boasted an impressive record of 22 wickets and 238 runs, including three fifties, across nine matches. Amanjot affectionately described Deepti as “the glue that holds the team together.”
“Whenever she plays, you can almost guarantee some record is being broken. Deepti is that vital element that keeps our team cohesive, whether it’s through her bowling, batting, or fielding,” Amanjot stated.
Her individual performances were also instrumental. In India’s opening World Cup match in Guwahati, Amanjot scored a critical 57 off 56 balls. She rescued the team from a precarious position of 124 for six in 27 overs against Sri Lanka, forming a match-winning 103-run partnership with Deepti Sharma, leading to a 59-run victory via the DLS method. In the semi-finals against Australia at the DY Patil Stadium, she claimed the vital wicket of Phoebe Litchfield, who was batting on 119, by cleanly bowling her. In that high-scoring encounter, she conceded only 51 runs in eight overs and chipped in with a quickfire eight-ball 15 not out cameo. “I just focused on bowling straight against Litchfield,” she had explained.
Recalling the inspiring words of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur before the final, the 25-year-old all-rounder shared, “It was particularly challenging for her because she’s experienced many more highs and lows than us. To lose by small margins is incredibly tough, and she told us that this time, she absolutely did not want to lose by a narrow margin—everyone had to give their absolute all.”