Table of Contents
- The Anthem Revealed
- Four Years in the Making
- More Than Just a Song
- Jaded by Heartbreak, Now Fueled by Joy
- Behind-the-Scenes Chemistry
- Sources
The Anthem Revealed
In the euphoric chaos that followed India Women’s historic 52-run triumph over South Africa in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 final, a long-kept secret finally came to light: their team anthem. Captured in a now-viral video, players led by Jemimah Rodrigues encircled the gleaming trophy, singing and dancing with pure, unfiltered joy .
The anthem—crafted in private over weeks of preparation—was a symbol of unity, resilience, and shared purpose. What made the moment even more special? The entire support staff, including head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar and his team, joined in the chorus, clapping, swaying, and celebrating as one family .
Four Years in the Making
This wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment chant. The Indian squad had made a quiet promise to themselves back in 2021: to create an anthem they’d only unveil if they ever lifted the World Cup trophy. For years, it remained locked away—a dream wrapped in melody. After heartbreaking near-misses in 2017 and 2022, that promise finally found its voice in Navi Mumbai on November 2, 2025 .
More Than Just a Song
Team anthems in elite sports are more than motivational tools—they’re psychological anchors. They build identity, foster belonging, and transform a group of individuals into a single, unstoppable force. India’s anthem, though its lyrics haven’t been publicly released, clearly carried emotional weight. You could see it in the tears, the embraces, and the unrestrained smiles as players like Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Deepti Sharma sang with arms around each other .
Jaded by Heartbreak, Now Fueled by Joy
For a generation of Indian women cricketers who grew up watching their heroes fall just short in World Cup finals, this victory—and the anthem that accompanied it—was cathartic. Jemimah Rodrigues, one of the team’s most expressive personalities, became the emotional heartbeat of the celebration, leading the chant with infectious energy that mirrored the nation’s relief and pride .
Behind-the-Scenes Chemistry
The inclusion of coaches and support staff in the anthem ritual speaks volumes about the culture within this Indian camp. Unlike past eras marked by hierarchy, this 2025 squad operated as a true collective—where physios, analysts, and mentors were seen as equals in the journey. That unity, reflected in their shared song, may well have been the intangible edge that propelled them to glory .
Sources
- Times of India: Jemimah, IND Women finally reveal team anthem, coaches join in – watch
- ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 – Official Tournament Records
- BCCI Media Release, November 3, 2025