For a long time, I had felt that women’s cricket was a sleeping giant, waiting for its moment to awaken. That moment has clearly arrived. India’s performance in the World Cup was not only impressive but also transformative in many ways, and while there were several aspects that stood out, the most striking for me was how they handled the weight of expectation and pressure on the grandest stage. Having played in India and spent considerable time there, I completely understand the level of fanaticism, the depth of emotion, and the sheer scale of expectation that comes with representing the country. For the Indian women to perform the way they did, with millions watching and hoping, was remarkable.
Being asked to bat first in a World Cup final is never easy, and yet India rose to the occasion, putting nearly 300 runs on the board—a total that was not only formidable but ultimately a winning one. The composure, intent, and clarity of execution they showed in such a high-pressure match was a testament to their maturity as a team. The narrative threads that came together from that final are many, each as inspiring as the next. Shafali Verma’s story stands out. She was not even part of the main squad heading into the semi final and the final, and yet she emerged as the Player of the Match, showcasing her immense talent and temperament. I had seen her firsthand earlier, during the T20 series in England. She hadn’t made the ODI squad at that time, but her potential was unmistakable. The fact that she wasn’t a sure starter in the Indian XI says a lot about the strength and depth the team now possesses.
That kind of depth was visible throughout the tournament. Players like Pratika Rawal were consistently impressive, which made Shapfali’s initial omission understandable, but it also highlights how many match-winners India now has waiting in the wings. It reflects not just the skill level but also the healthy competition within the squad. The team’s composition— a balanced mix of youth and experience—has been key to its success. Senior players like Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and Richa Ghosh bring enormous experience and stability, while emerging talents continue to push them forward. Heading into the tournament, there were some doubts about whether this team was ready to win a World Cup or if it might come a bit too soon for them. Those doubts were emphatically put to rest.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership deserves immense credit, as does coach Amol Muzumdar. For Amol, this was a particularly special moment. I actually played against him back in the mid-1990s, and at that time, he was widely expected to become one of India’s next great
batting stars. Things didn’t quite unfold that way for him as a player, but how poetic that he guided India to a World Cup title as coach. It’s a remarkable journey, and to see him and Harmanpreet together lift that trophy was deeply satisfying. I had seen the pair up close during India’s tour of England in the summer, and I was struck by how strategically sound, composed, and professional the side looked. Their planning was meticulous, their fielding sharp, and their overall demeanor exuded confidence. They looked more like the home side than the visitors. It was evident that a lot of thought, preparation, and collaboration between the captain and coach had gone into shaping this team’s identity and performance.
Going forward, that partnership between captain and coach will be crucial. The challenge now is to build on this success—to plan wisely for the future, to harness the momentum and ensure the next generation of players are equally well-prepared. There are valuable lessons to take from other dominant sides too. Take Australia, for example: they remain, in many ways, the best team in the world across formats. Their consistency comes from the sheer depth of their talent pool. India now finds itself on a similar path, with an ever expanding base of players ready to step up when needed.
Among those players, Deepti Sharma stands out. While she may not be universally recognized right now as the best cricketer in the world, I genuinely believe she is the best competitor in the women’s game. Her spirit, tenacity, and ability to contribute with both bat and ball make her indispensable. Her performances in the semi-final and final were crucial, taking key wickets under pressure. She’s a player every team wants—one who fights for every run and wicket, sometimes pushing the line, but always with an unrelenting will to win.
Youngsters like Kranti Goud and Shree Charani also caught the eye. I saw them during the English summer, and they impressed me with their raw potential and confidence. Developing under the guidance of senior players will only make them stronger. The combination of youthful energy and seasoned experience makes this Indian side very exciting to watch.
It’s worth remembering that players like Harleen Deol didn’t feature much in the latter part of the tournament, yet she remains a high-quality option. Jemimah Rodrigues, whose strategic use in the batting order was debated for much of the tournament, eventually returned to the playing XI and made an enormous impact, particularly in the semi-final. Personally, I’ve always felt she should bat at number three, and I said so during the English summer. Perhaps that’s something the team management will consider going forward.
On the other side, South Africa also had plenty to be proud of. Chasing nearly 300 in a World Cup final is never easy, and yet they gave a commendable account of themselves. Laura Wolvaardt, as expected, was exceptional—her performances throughout the tournament were world-class. To score two back-to-back hundreds in semi-final and final and end up without the trophy is tough, but she was undoubtedly one of the tournament’s standout performers.
I had sensed this might be South Africa’s best chance to win a World Cup for a while, given their experienced core. Unfortunately, Marizanne Kapp had an off day, and her influence is so pivotal that when she doesn’t fire, it shifts the whole balance of the side. Still, no one can fault her—she’s carried the team on countless occasions. Anneke Bosch and Tazmin Brits had their moments too, flashes of brilliance mixed with inconsistency. Ultimately, Wolvaardt lacked the support she needed at the other end. Yet, the way South Africa recovered after being blown away by England in their opening match—to regroup, reach the final, and challenge India—was commendable. It bodes well for their future.
In the end, India’s victory marked more than just a new name on the trophy—it signified the globalization of women’s cricket and the expansion of its competitive field. Not long ago, only three or four teams consistently competed at the top level. Now, the pool of talent and competition has widened dramatically. For me, before this World Cup even began, I felt that an Indian triumph would be the single best thing that could happen to women’s cricket. It has happened, and now the stage is set for a new era. The developments that will unfold in the coming years promise to take the women’s game to heights never seen before.
