The Monday that dawned with self-respect
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In a country that breathes cricket like air, women’s cricket had long been treated as merely ornamental, until that midnight hour when history suddenly changed course. As the third ball of the 45th over left Deepti Sharma’s hand, the clock struck twelve. Nadine de Klerk tried to drive the full toss outside the off stump past the boundary, but just as it seemed bound for extra cover, Harmanpreet Kaur sprinted back and caught it as it flew over her head.
Under the floodlights of the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, a new Monday of self-respect and dedication was dawning. After half a century of waiting, they stood firm at the crease, dancing in the triumph of resilience. The path our women carved to reach the unparalleled glory of the ICC Women’s World Cup is filled with passion and pride, and above all, it serves as an inspiration and encouragement for generations to come.
This is not just a victory, it is a declaration of freedom. There is no longer room for the condescending tone that once dismissed them as “just the women’s team”. From the tales of defeat, our proud squad is now donning the mantle of world champions. It is indeed a heartening sight to see the same glory that once shone on Kapil Dev and his men in 1983 now being bestowed upon Harmanpreet Kaur and her teammates on this field of equality.
They were women who came together from vastly different walks of life. Among this sixteen-member squad are the daughters of a vegetable vendor and a carpenter. Ten of the seventeen players were stepping onto the grand stage of the World Cup for the very first time.
But they played as one solid unit. From Harmanpreet Kaur to Harleen Deol, the team was stitched together by a single thread of purpose, and that unity became their biggest strength. Their winning mantra was simple: lift each other up. Every match had its own heroines. Alongside Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma also rose as valiant heroines of triumph. When Pritika Rawal’s injury forced her out, her replacement, Shafali, smashed South Africa’s hopes in the final and walked away with the Player of the Match award. In the semis, chasing a massive 339 against defending champions Australia, Jemimah’s unbeaten century sealed India’s place in the final. Deepti Sharma, with her all-round brilliance, stayed at the heart of the campaign right through the tournament.
It was at this very D.Y. Patil Stadium, three years ago, that the first ball of the inaugural Women’s Premier League was bowled. It is important to recognise that the same ground has now become the stage that powered this dream to reality. This world triumph stands as proof that given the opportunities, the stage to polish and showcase talent naturally follows. In that sense, it also serves as a signpost for sports policy, affirming that efforts to enhance infrastructure and build stronger training systems will never go in vain.
This was the very team that stood on the brink of elimination after three straight losses in the league stage. Social media erupted in a storm of trolls, while expert panels in cushy studio chairs hurled criticism laced with sexism. Questions were raised, why should a losing women’s team earn the same pay as the men? But the squad responded to the noise in the best way possible, by crushing a strong New Zealand side and marching heroically into the semifinals. What followed after that is now history.
There is another mastermind behind this victory. As Harmanpreet sealed the win with that stunning catch, he sat in the dugout — much like Kabir Khan from Chak De! India. Amol Muzumdar, the unfortunate cricketer who amassed an impressive 11,167 runs in first-class cricket, yet never got the chance to represent the national team. And finally, when history was made at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, he was there, in the blue jersey. As head coach, Amol deserves the ungrudging praise for leading these fearless women to the crown with unwavering dedication and skill.
There’s no doubt this world title will rewrite the face of women’s cricket in the country. The country can now look forward to the days when our girls confidently take guard at the crease. That will be the greatest harvest of this triumph. Its echoes will be felt in homes, playgrounds, hearts, and in the nation’s dreams. It will redefine the sporting culture, expectations, and priorities we’ve long been accustomed to.
Congratulations to our world champions!