Navi Mumbai:
It was a night Indian cricket fans will never forget. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women’s team lifted their first-ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup on Sunday after defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final at DY Patil Stadium.
But what made the victory even more emotional was the presence of two icons of Indian women’s cricket — Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, who joined the celebrations on the field as the team took a victory lap in front of a jubilant crowd.
Both former captains — who have been instrumental in shaping the foundation of Indian women’s cricket — were seen overwhelmed with emotion. Jhulan, known for her fiery pace and even fiercer spirit, couldn’t hold back her tears as she embraced captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Mithali, the epitome of grace and calm, could only say a heartfelt “thank you” as she lifted the World Cup trophy alongside the new champions.
Former India skipper Anjum Chopra also joined the on-field celebrations, adding another layer of legacy to India’s historic moment.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s Emotional Tribute to Jhulan and Mithali
Speaking at the post-match press conference, an emotional Harmanpreet Kaur reflected on what it meant to share this milestone with the women who paved the way.
“Jhulan Di was my biggest support. When I joined the team, she was leading it. She always supported me in my early days when I was very raw and didn’t know much about cricket,” Harmanpreet said.
She fondly recalled how Anjum Chopra also mentored her in her formative years:
“Anjum Di used to take me along with her team and I learnt a lot from her. Both of them have been a great support for me. I am very grateful that I got to share a special moment with them. It was very emotional. We all were waiting for this — finally, we were able to touch this trophy.”
Harmanpreet’s Leadership and India’s Road to Glory
Harmanpreet also revealed how she kept her team motivated when South Africa appeared to be staging a comeback during the chase.
“I was just telling them — keep faith. We’ve worked really hard for this. Opportunities will come; we just have to seize them. ODI cricket is long, and momentum can shift quickly,” she said.
She credited India’s spin duo, Deepti Sharma and Charulata (Charni), for turning the tide in the crucial middle overs.
“Our spinners have always been our biggest strength. As soon as Deepti and Charni came in, we knew wickets would start coming. The message was simple — stay positive and keep believing.”
An Emotional Victory for Indian Women’s Cricket
The victory marks a historic chapter in Indian cricket — the first-ever ODI World Cup title for the women’s team after years of near-misses and heartbreaks.
For Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami — two pillars who carried the team through decades of struggle — the moment was deeply symbolic. The tears, smiles, and embraces on the field reflected a generational passing of the torch, from trailblazers to champions.
As the DY Patil Stadium echoed with cheers and the tricolour fluttered proudly, it was not just a win for a team — it was the fulfilment of a dream that began decades ago when women’s cricket fought for recognition.