The night before India clinched their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup title in 2025, a call from cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar provided a significant morale boost. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur shared that Tendulkar, a figure deeply familiar with World Cup journeys, reached out to offer encouragement and impart wisdom gleaned from his own experiences. His advice focused on managing pressure, particularly in high-stakes matches, by maintaining a controlled pace and avoiding rushed decisions.
Kaur explained Tendulkar’s guidance during an interview, quoting him as saying, ‘When the game is going fast, just slow it down a little. Try to control it because when you go too fast, chances are you can stumble.’ This mantra, coupled with the support of senior teammates, helped the Indian team stay focused. The final match saw India defeat South Africa convincingly, with Kaur herself sealing the victory. The euphoria of becoming world champions is still sinking in for Kaur, who described the feeling as a dream come true, especially with her parents witnessing the historic moment. She elaborated on how the impact of the achievement is yet to be fully processed, likening the initial feeling to winning a smaller series.
A poignant aspect of the celebration was the inclusion of former captains Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami in holding the World Cup trophy. Their presence was a tribute to their contributions and their own near-misses in previous finals. Kaur revealed a promise made by the team after the 2022 World Cup – to win for Raj and Goswami, who were part of that squad. The team ensured they were present at the final to share in the triumph. Kaur also acknowledged the continuous support from a network of former players and coaches, emphasizing that the victory was a collective effort and a dream shared by generations of Indian women cricketers.