In a candid revelation, India’s women’s cricket team captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, shared how a period of intense criticism following a devastating loss against England inadvertently brought the team closer, igniting their path to a remarkable first World Cup victory. During a post-match press conference in Navi Mumbai, Kaur highlighted the profound impact of this challenging phase on the team’s unity and resilience.
Harmanpreet Kaur (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
The team had endured a difficult streak, suffering three consecutive losses to South Africa, Australia, and England. The defeat against England was particularly heart-wrenching, as India failed to chase a target of 289 despite being in a strong position at 234 for 3.
The aftermath saw head coach Amol Mujumdar directly confronting the team, while external voices clamored for changes in leadership. However, instead of crumbling, this moment became a turning point. “Not a single player questioned our fate when things were tough, especially after that heartbreaking loss against England. That night truly transformed us. We realized we needed to develop a stronger mindset, and everyone rallied together, becoming even more united,” Harmanpreet explained.
Addressing the harsh criticism, Harmanpreet offered a pragmatic view: “Criticism is a part of our journey; it helps maintain balance. I don’t fault those who criticize us, and I don’t feel the need to respond extensively. For me, the priority is to keep the team’s internal dynamics stable and focused.”
Embracing their coach’s philosophy, the team created an ‘internal bubble,’ consciously shielding themselves from outside pressures and noise.
Both Harmanpreet and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana were resolute in their determination to avoid yet another World Cup heartbreak, having experienced several in previous tournaments. “I’ve played many World Cups alongside Smriti. We often fell short on home ground, unable to break the jinx. But when we learned the final would be at DY Patil, we celebrated with renewed determination, deciding this was our moment. We told ourselves, ‘We are home, and our World Cup begins now,'” Harmanpreet shared.
This renewed resilience and unwavering determination ultimately culminated in success, as the Indian women’s team achieved their first World Cup victory on home soil at the iconic DY Patil stadium.