India’s agonizing wait for an ICC Women’s world title ended in thumping fashion on Sunday night in Navi Mumbai when Harmanpreet Kaur’s side brushed aside South Africa by 52 runs to clinch the ODI World Cup crown. The Women’s World Cup 2025 ended in the most poetic way imaginable. Harmanpreet Kaur was stationed at cover when Nadine de Klerk, South Africa’s last recognized batter, played an uppish cover drive, attempting to clear the fielder inside the ring.
Harmanpreet Kaur timed her leap to perfection, plucking the ball out of thin air and completing the catch that sealed India’s maiden World Cup title. It felt as if India had waited long enough for this moment of glory, as Harmanpreet Kaur converted a half-chance into the decisive wicket – one that ended the game and two decades of heartbreak for the women’s team.
Having suffered knockout heartbreaks aplenty and despite not having the best of league stage campaigns where they finished fourth with only seven points, India’s resolve came to the fore when they slayed the mighty Australians in the semi-final before stubbing the Proteas in the summit clash. Following the massive World Cup Title win, elated skipper Harmanpreet Kaur opened up on the dream she pursues and the aim of making India a team to make winning trophies as a habit going forward.
Harmanpreet Kaur aims to make ICC wins a habit after a coveted World Cup Title win in 2025
Twenty years after playing their first World Cup final, India finally brought home the trophy on November 2, 2025. Led by Shafali Verma’s sensational 87 and Deepti Sharma’s five-wicket haul, India delivered when it mattered most, beating South Africa in front of a packed DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai to lift the title.
Speaking after collecting the trophy from ICC chairman Jay Shah on the dais, Harmanpreet Kaur said the victory marked the beginning of a new era, promising that the team would strive to make winning a habit.
“This is the start. We wanted to break this barrier. And our next plan is to make this a habit. We were waiting for it. Now this moment has come. So many big occasions are coming, and we want to keep improving. This is not the end, just the beginning,” Harmanpreet Kaur said.
Harmanpreet Kaur became only the third Indian captain after Kapil Dev in 1983 and MS Dhoni in 2011 to win the ODI World Cup. Many see India’s triumph on Sunday as a watershed moment, one that mirrors the men’s team’s iconic 1983 victory. India were clinical in the final, maintaining composure and discipline just days after their emotionally charged win over serial champions Australia in the semi-final.
Struggling for words after the historic triumph, Harmanpreet Kaur thanked the fans in Navi Mumbai for their unrelenting support over the past two weeks. Tickets for the final had sold out days in advance, with many fans left disappointed after being unable to get their hands on one – an unprecedented first for women’s cricket in India.
“I am so grateful for this crowd; they have been really amazing. Thank you for being with us in all our ups and downs. Last game also, we spoke that self-belief was there, even though we lost three back-to-back games. We knew we had something special to turn things around. They stayed positive, we knew what we had to do, everyone was so involved – they were there day and night – and this team deserves to be here,” Harmanpreet Kaur said.
While Harmanpreet Kaur played a crucial hand with a match-winning 87 in the semi-final, she was at her tactical best in the title clash.
Her most decisive call came during South Africa’s chase of 299, when she handed the ball to Shafali Verma. The 21-year-old, who had already lit up the final with a blistering 87, turned out to be a surprise package with the ball as well. Shafali dismissed Sune Luus to break a 62-run stand and later removed the dangerous all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, swinging the momentum India’s way.
Before the final, Shafali had bowled only 14 overs in her four-year ODI career. Yet, Harmanpreet Kaur trusted her instincts – and her young opener repaid that faith in gold.
“When Laura and Sune were batting, they were looking really good. I just saw Shafali standing there, and the way she was batting, I knew it was our day. I thought I have to go with my gut feeling. If my heart was saying, I had to give her at least one over. And that was the turning point for us.
When she came to the team, we spoke to her that we might need 2-3 overs, and she said if you give me bowling, I will bowl ten overs. Credit goes to her; she was so positive, and she was there for the team. Salute her,” Harmanpreet Kaur said.
The celebrations continued well past midnight, as Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana shared emotional moments with former captain Mithali Raj and ex-fast bowler Jhulan Goswami, both of whom were at the DY Patil Stadium to witness India’s greatest night.
So what’s next for Team India Women Once the giddy highs of the World Cup will subside, Harmanpreet Kaur & Co. will turn their focus onto the shorter format where another shot at the T20 World Cup looms in another seven months. India reached the T20 World Cup final in 2020, finishing runners-up behind Australia.
According to the official ICC FTP schedule, India’s next tour will only be in Australia in two months when they will feature in three T20Is, three ODIs and a one-off Test in Perth. Shortly before the T20 World Cup 2026 in June in the United Kingdom, India will tour England for three T20Is and thereafter feature in a landmark Test match at Lord’s in July 2026.
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