New Delhi, May 21: Indian women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed that winning the ODI World Cup 2025 has significantly boosted the team’s confidence. She emphasized that this victory marks the beginning of a remarkable journey for the Indian women’s cricket team.
In her ICC column, Kaur stated, “Winning that World Cup was a pivotal moment for women’s cricket in India. It was more than just a trophy. Most importantly, it instilled confidence in us and showed young girls that reaching the pinnacle of the sport is achievable.”
She further added, “The victory in the Women’s World Cup 2025 has greatly enhanced our confidence. However, this is just the beginning. We want to make winning a habit. While the World Cup win brought us immense joy, it also bestowed a significant responsibility. We know that expectations will rise, and with that comes pressure, but it is a ‘good’ pressure. It reminds us of our special achievement, and now we must replicate that success.”
Kaur mentioned that the confidence gained from this win will be carried into the T20 World Cup as well. “We are well aware of the level of performance we need to maintain. The recent T20 series against Sri Lanka, Australia, and South Africa provided us with an excellent opportunity to test ourselves and learn a lot. In T20, there is little room for error; a few balls can change the course of a match.”
Regarding the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, Kaur wrote, “Every ICC trophy presents its own challenges. This format is shorter, and the margins between winning and losing are minimal. The pressure is immense. We must remain alert from the start and seize crucial moments to secure victories. Winning this tournament would be a significant achievement for us.”
The Indian captain stated, “If we win this tournament, it will signal the beginning of a strong and consistent era for Indian women’s cricket.”
The Indian team for the T20 World Cup has been announced. Kaur expressed her excitement about the team’s balance, highlighting its blend of talent and fearlessness. “The experience and youthful energy create a perfect mix. Much of this credit goes to the Women’s Premier League, which has showcased real talent and provided players with regular exposure to high-pressure situations and top-tier cricket.”
The T20 World Cup will be held in England, a country that holds great significance in Kaur’s career. She reflected, “My memories of the 2017 World Cup in England are still fresh. My 171-run innings against Australia changed a lot in my life. The team’s performance in that tournament was a crucial turning point for Indian women’s cricket.”
Although the Indian team did not win the final, they received a hero’s welcome upon returning home. Kaur reminisced, “Even though we didn’t win the final, the love and respect we received from fans and the media upon our return was special. That campaign drew attention and forced people to take women’s cricket seriously. Since then, women’s cricket has made significant progress.”
Looking back nearly a decade after that World Cup, Kaur expressed pride in the distance they have traveled. “Indian women’s cricket is moving towards another significant milestone, one based not only on progress but also on consistency and sustained excellence. In the future, we aim to elevate our game further and make winning a habit.”
Following their ODI World Cup 2025 victory, the Indian women’s team will enter the T20 World Cup 2026 as strong contenders. The tournament, starting on June 12 in England, will see India placed in Group A alongside Australia, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and South Africa. India will play its first match against Pakistan on June 14.
Leave a Comment