Table of Contents
- From Heartbreak to Hope
- Why This Final Means Everything
- Team India’s Road to the Final
- Harmanpreet’s Raw, Honest Message
- Sources
From Heartbreak to Hope
Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s inspirational cricket captain, is no stranger to the sting of near-misses. Having led her side to the finals of the 2017 Women’s World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup—only to fall short both times—she now stands on the cusp of history once again.
Ahead of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final against South Africa, Harmanpreet opened up with rare vulnerability, revealing just how much this moment means to her and her teammates.
Why This Final Means Everything
This will be India Women’s third appearance in a global final—but their first in a 50-over World Cup since 2017. The stakes couldn’t be higher. A win would not only deliver India its maiden Women’s World Cup title but also cement this generation’s legacy in cricketing folklore.
South Africa, appearing in their first-ever Women’s World Cup final, are equally hungry. But Harmanpreet insists her team is ready—not just technically, but emotionally.
Team India’s Road to the Final
India’s campaign has been a masterclass in resilience:
- Won 6 of 7 group-stage matches
- Defeated Australia in a thrilling semifinal by 12 runs
- Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues provided explosive starts
- Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav controlled the middle overs
- Harmanpreet herself scored a match-winning 89* in the semis
The collective spirit, she says, is what sets this squad apart.
Harmanpreet’s Raw, Honest Message
“We’ve been through a lot,” Harmanpreet said, her voice thick with emotion. “We’ve felt the pain of coming so close and not getting over the line. But this team has worked harder than ever. We believe this is our time.”
She added, “We want to make this a special day for the country—for every girl who dreams of playing for India.”
Those words aren’t just captain’s talk. They reflect years of sacrifice, evolving leadership, and a squad that’s grown together through triumphs and tears.
With over 15 years in international cricket, Harmanpreet knows this might be her last shot at World Cup glory. And she’s leaving nothing to chance.
Sources
Times of India – Harmanpreet Kaur’s emotional words ahead of World Cup final vs South Africa