After participating in fourteen World Cups across T20I and 50-over formats, Indian women's cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur has finally experienced the ultimate glory that had eluded her for years. The veteran cricketer, who had endured numerous heartbreaks and near-misses throughout her career, witnessed a historic turnaround earlier this month when the Indian women's cricket team clinched the World Cup by defeating South Africa in a thrilling final.
The Weight of an ICC Title
Speaking at a felicitation ceremony by Sathyabama University in Chennai on Thursday, Harmanpreet Kaur shared her overwhelming emotions about the landmark victory. The 36-year-old from Punjab admitted that the achievement still feels surreal, emphasizing how crucial this ICC title was for the team's legacy.
"It's still hard to believe that we have won the trophy, but it feels good," Harmanpreet expressed. "Winning the World Cup trophy means a lot because even before this triumph, we had been playing good cricket, and we won so many bilateral series. But as a team we knew that World Cup is something which is very important."
The captain highlighted the significance of having an ICC title in their cabinet, noting that without it, everything felt empty despite their consistent performances. She expressed hope that this breakthrough victory would pave the way for many more international trophies in the future.
Inspiring a Generation of Young Athletes
This historic first-ever ODI World Cup triumph is being celebrated as a transformative moment for Indian women's cricket. Harmanpreet, who played a crucial innings of 89 runs in the semifinal against a formidable Australian side, believes the victorious campaign will inspire countless young girls across the nation to pursue sports.
"It feels very good because the entire country is celebrating this victory," she said. "As a team we all wanted to do that... to inspire more girls to pick up any sport, not just cricket. It means a lot to us that everybody is coming together, enjoying the success, appreciating and encouraging their kids to play."
The captain revealed that the team was acutely aware that a World Cup victory could bring substantial changes to women's sports in India. She expressed confidence that this entire team would inspire numerous young girls to take up sports in the coming years, creating a lasting impact beyond the cricket field.
Building a Stronger Future for Women's Cricket
Looking ahead, Harmanpreet Kaur emphasized the need for greater competition and more opportunities in women's cricket. She wants to see more girls playing the sport to develop a talent pool similar to the 'Men in Blue.'
"I think already a lot of changes have happened, that's why we were able to lift this cup," Harmanpreet noted. "As cricketers we only demand more matches which we are already getting now. We asked for the WPL (Women's Premier League), and that's there too."
The captain stressed that the focus should now shift toward attracting more female cricketers to the field to achieve the same level of competition that men enjoy in their game. She pointed to the men's team as an example, where the continuous emergence of talented players has consistently strengthened the squad.
Harmanpreet concluded by expressing her vision for women's cricket in India: "It would be good if we can see more cricketers and more competition on the field," signaling her commitment to building a robust ecosystem for the next generation of women cricketers.
