On a historic night in Kolkata, tears of joy replaced years of near-misses as Harmanpreet Kaur lifted the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup—India’s first ever. The captain’s emotional post-match message, “Never stop dreaming,” wasn’t just a soundbite; it was the echo of a childhood promise she made to herself in a small Punjabi village.
Leading India to a commanding 52-run victory over South Africa in the 2025 final, Harmanpreet didn’t just win a trophy—she fulfilled a destiny written in backyard cricket pitches and makeshift bats.
From a Broken Bat to the World Cup Trophy
Before the packed stands of Eden Gardens roared her name, Harmanpreet’s journey began in Moga, Punjab, where cricket was a dream reserved mostly for boys. Undeterred, she practiced with a bat modified from a broken hockey stick—one end sawed off and reshaped to resemble a cricket bat .
That humble beginning wasn’t just a symbol of scarcity; it was a testament to her relentless belief. “I used to watch matches on a black-and-white TV and imagined myself on that field,” she once recalled in an interview. Now, her image is etched into cricketing history.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s Captaincy Masterclass in 2025
As captain, Harmanpreet blended tactical brilliance with emotional intelligence. Her leadership held the team together through pressure-cooker group-stage matches and a nail-biting semifinal. In the final, she contributed 48 crucial runs and marshaled her bowlers flawlessly to dismantle South Africa’s chase.
Her calm demeanor under fire—especially during the tense middle overs—was a stark contrast to India’s collapses in past tournaments. This time, the team mirrored her composure.
| Harmanpreet Kaur – WC 2025 Stats | Performance |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 9 |
| Runs Scored | 278 |
| Highest Score | 76 (vs Australia, semifinal) |
| Captaincy Record | 7 wins in 9 matches |
“Never Stop Dreaming”: A Message That Resonates
Standing on the podium, trophy in hand, Harmanpreet’s voice trembled but her message was clear: “To every girl watching from a small town, with a broken bat or no bat at all—never stop dreaming. If I can do it, so can you.”
This wasn’t performative sentiment. It was a lived truth. Her journey—from training on clay pitches to captaining India in front of 60,000 fans—embodies the power of persistence in a sport that’s slowly but surely embracing its women athletes.
The Ripple Effect of India’s Historic Victory
India’s maiden World Cup win isn’t just a sporting milestone; it’s a cultural earthquake. Schools in rural India are already reporting surges in girls signing up for cricket academies. Brands are fast-tracking women’s cricket sponsorships, and national broadcasts have pledged expanded coverage for domestic women’s leagues.
At the heart of this movement stands Harmanpreet Kaur—not just as a player, but as a symbol of what’s possible when dreams are met with opportunity and grit.
Sources
[INTERNAL_LINK:Women_Cricket], Times of India