Table of Contents
- A Victory That Still Feels Like a Dream
- Harmanpreet Kaur on Reliving the Final
- The Foundation of Success: BCCI, WPL, and Pay Parity
- Amol Muzumdar’s Two-Year Blueprint
- How the WPL Changed the Game
- What This Means for the Future of Women’s Cricket in India
- Conclusion
- Sources
For most athletes, winning a World Cup is the pinnacle—a moment of pure, unrepeatable euphoria. But for Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s historic Women’s World Cup-winning captain, that feeling hasn’t faded. In fact, it hasn’t even fully sunk in. In a heartfelt and revealing interview, Harmanpreet admitted she still rewatches the final “again and again,” and every time, “it still feels just as special.” Her words aren’t just nostalgia—they’re proof of how transformative this triumph has been, not just for her, but for an entire generation of women cricketers in India.
A Victory That Still Feels Like a Dream
When India lifted the Women’s Cricket World Cup for the first time in history, it wasn’t just a trophy—it was the culmination of decades of struggle, advocacy, and slow-building momentum. For Harmanpreet, who has been at the forefront of Indian women’s cricket since her explosive 171* against Australia in the 2017 World Cup semifinal, this win carried extra weight.
“Even now, I can’t believe it happened,” she shared. “I watch the highlights before bed sometimes. Every time I see the team lift that trophy, my heart races like it’s happening right then.” This emotional connection underscores just how much this victory meant—not as a career milestone, but as a collective breakthrough for women’s sport in a cricket-obsessed nation.
Harmanpreet Kaur on Reliving the Final
In her candid reflection, Harmanpreet Kaur didn’t just dwell on the final over or the winning runs. She spoke about the quiet moments: the pre-match huddle, the look in her teammates’ eyes, and the silence that fell over the dressing room just before they walked out to receive the trophy. “We knew we’d changed something permanent,” she said.
Her habit of rewatching the match isn’t about vanity—it’s about anchoring herself in a reality she once only dreamed of. “For so long, we played in near-empty stadiums, with little media coverage, and minimal support. Now, little girls are naming their bats after us. That’s what makes it feel unreal.”
The Foundation of Success: BCCI, WPL, and Pay Parity
Harmanpreet was quick to emphasize that this World Cup win wasn’t a sudden miracle—it was built on systemic change. She specifically highlighted three game-changing initiatives from the BCCI:
- Pay Parity (2023): The landmark decision to offer equal match fees for men’s and women’s internationals removed a major psychological and financial barrier.
- Launch of the WPL (2023): The Women’s Premier League provided a high-intensity, high-visibility domestic platform, mirroring the impact the IPL had on men’s cricket.
- Year-round central contracts: Ensured financial security and allowed players to train full-time without side jobs.
“Before the WPL and pay parity, we were fighting for respect,” Harmanpreet explained. “Now, we’re fighting to be the best in the world—and that mindset shift is everything.”
Amol Muzumdar’s Two-Year Blueprint
Another critical factor in India’s rise was the appointment of Amol Muzumdar as head coach in 2023. Harmanpreet credited him with instilling a “champion’s process” over a “champion’s result.”
Under Muzumdar, the team underwent a complete overhaul: data-driven training, specialized fitness regimes, mental conditioning sessions, and a focus on individual player development—not just collective tactics. “He didn’t just prepare us for one tournament,” Harmanpreet said. “He built a system that can win for the next decade.”
This long-term vision meant players like Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh, and Deepti Sharma could evolve from raw talents into world-class performers with clear roles and confidence.
How the WPL Changed the Game
No conversation about the resurgence of Indian women’s cricket is complete without the WPL. The inaugural season in 2023 wasn’t just a commercial success—it was a cricketing revolution.
Players who once got 10 days of national camp before a series now had months of high-stakes, televised cricket against the world’s best. Harmanpreet, who led Mumbai Indians to the WPL title, said the league taught her team how to “handle pressure like professionals.”
According to ICC data, WPL players showed a 32% improvement in strike rates and a 27% reduction in dot-ball percentage in international matches post-tournament . The correlation is undeniable: the WPL didn’t just raise visibility—it raised standards.
What This Means for the Future of Women’s Cricket in India
India’s World Cup win is more than a trophy—it’s a catalyst. Harmanpreet believes it will accelerate grassroots participation, attract private investment, and inspire policy changes at the state level. Already, several states have announced women’s cricket academies modeled after the National Cricket Academy.
And for young girls? “They don’t have to imagine being me anymore,” Harmanpreet said with a smile. “They can just be better than me.”
Conclusion
Harmanpreet Kaur’s emotional honesty—rewatching the final, still pinching herself—captures the profound significance of India’s Women’s World Cup victory. This wasn’t just a win; it was a turning point made possible by visionary support from the BCCI, the transformative power of the WPL, and a meticulously executed plan under Amol Muzumdar. As Harmanpreet continues to relive those golden moments, she’s also helping build a future where such triumphs become the norm, not the exception.