Post by : Rameen Ariff

Mumbai, November 4, 2025: In a landmark evening for Indian sport, Harmanpreet Kaur captained India to its inaugural ICC Women’s World Cup crown. The title-decider at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai ended with India defeating South Africa by 52 runs to claim the trophy for the first time in history.

Electing to bat, India posted a commanding 298 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs, built on steady partnerships and bold stroke-making. South Africa mounted a spirited chase but were eventually dismissed for 246, handing India a celebrated victory.

Beyond runs and catches, the triumph represented years of perseverance and collective belief. As the final wicket fell, emotions surged across the field; the most poignant image came when Harmanpreet ran into the arms of her father, Harmander Singh Bhullar, an embrace that quickly captured the public’s imagination online.

Harmander, who hails from Punjab and was his daughter’s first coach, has been a constant presence throughout her cricketing ascent. Their reunion on the pitch encapsulated the family sacrifices behind elite sport.

Following the win, the squad paid respects to pioneers of the game: former captains Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami were invited to receive the trophy in a gesture honouring their decades-long contribution to women’s cricket in India.

An emotional Harmanpreet dedicated the victory to those who guided her, saying, “Jhulan Di was my biggest support. When I joined the team, she guided me when I knew very little about cricket. Mithali Di and Anjum (Chopra) also played huge roles in my journey. I’m proud that we could share this victory with them.”

The win marks a turning point for the sport in India — a celebration of grit, unity and aspiration. With fireworks over Mumbai and fans rejoicing nationwide, India’s women’s team has signalled it has reached the summit of world cricket.

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