Harmanpreet Kaur Reflects on Historic ICC Women's World Cup Victory
A Historic Win for Indian Women's Cricket
After leading her team to victory in the ICC Women's World Cup, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her joy in sharing the trophy with cricket legends Jhulan Goswami and Mithali Raj. India triumphed over South Africa by 52 runs in the final held in Navi Mumbai, marking a significant milestone in women's cricket.
Cherished Moments with Cricket Icons
In a pre-match press conference, Kaur shared her emotional experience of celebrating the win with Goswami and Raj. She stated, "Jhulan Di was my biggest support. When I joined the team, she was the captain and always encouraged me during my early days. I learned a lot from Anjum (Chopra) as well, who took me under her wing. Sharing this moment with them was incredibly special and emotional for all of us."
A Message of Resilience During the Chase
As South Africa began to close the gap during their chase, Kaur motivated her team to "keep faith" and capitalize on opportunities. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset in the lengthy ODI format, stating, "We have worked hard for this, and we must seize the chances that come our way. Our spinners have always been our strength, and I knew they would deliver when it mattered most."
Destiny and Team Spirit Amid Challenges
Discussing Shafali Varma's impactful performance in the final, Kaur remarked that it was "all destiny." She highlighted the team's unity and resilience in the face of injuries, saying, "When Pratika Rawal and Yastika Bhatia got injured, it was heartbreaking. However, Shafali stepped in, and we made sure she felt welcomed. Everyone remained positive, focusing on our ultimate goal: the trophy."
Match Highlights: India vs. South Africa
India Sets a Challenging Target
In the final match, South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first. India started strong with a century partnership between Smriti Mandhana (45 off 58 balls) and Shafali Verma, followed by a 62-run partnership between Shafali (87 off 78 balls) and Jemimah Rodrigues (24 off 37 balls). India reached a solid total of 298/7 in their 50 overs, thanks to contributions from Deepti Sharma (58 off 58 balls) and Richa Ghosh (34 off 24 balls). Ayabonga Khaka was the standout bowler for South Africa with figures of 3/58.
Deepti Sharma's Five-Wicket Haul Secures Victory
During South Africa's chase, they initially built momentum with a 50-run partnership. However, despite Laura Wolvaardt's impressive century (101 off 98 balls), the Indian bowlers, particularly Deepti Sharma (5/39), turned the tide. Deepti's crucial wickets led to South Africa's collapse, ultimately bowled out for 246 runs, securing India's first Women's World Cup title.