India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur revealed a pivotal moment before their 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup victory: a call from batting legend Sachin Tendulkar. The night before the final, Tendulkar, who understands World Cup pressure intimately after his own journey to glory, shared valuable advice. He encouraged the team to maintain composure, urging them to slow down and control the game’s pace when it felt overwhelming, drawing from his own experiences on the grandest stage. This timely encouragement came before India defeated South Africa by 52 runs at the DY Patil Stadium, securing their historic first Women’s ODI World Cup title.
Kaur recounted Tendulkar’s advice, emphasizing the need to stay balanced and avoid stumbling by playing too fast. She reflected on absorbing guidance from senior players, focusing on patience and seizing the opportune moments. The emotional victory saw the final wicket taken by Kaur herself, leading to an outpouring of joy. The captain expressed disbelief, describing the feeling of being ‘world champions’ as surreal and a long-cherished dream realized with her parents present. Lifting the trophy with her family watching was an incredibly special moment, fulfilling a childhood ambition. Kaur admitted that the magnitude of the achievement is yet to fully sink in, comparing it initially to winning a bilateral series, with the true impact expected to be understood over the coming months.
The historic win was further amplified by the presence of former stalwarts Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. Both legends, who were part of India’s previous World Cup final heartbreaks in 2005 and 2017, were invited to hold the trophy aloft. Kaur recalled the sadness felt after the 2022 World Cup, knowing it was likely the last for Raj and Goswami. The team had vowed to win it for them and ensured they were present to share this momentous occasion. The captain also highlighted the support from other former players and coaches, emphasizing that the victory was a collective dream realized with their blessings and encouragement.