New Delhi: Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur revealed that a phone call from cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar the night before the 2025 Women’s World Cup final was her biggest source of inspiration. This advice strengthened her mental resolve, and Team India went on to defeat South Africa by 52 runs to win their first-ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup. This historic victory was achieved on November 2 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
Tendulkar’s Advice Changed Perspective
Harmanpreet shared that Sachin Sir called her the night before the final and shared his invaluable wisdom. He said,
“When the match is moving fast, slow things down a bit. Maintain control of the game, because when things are too fast, the chances of making mistakes increase.”
This advice inspired Harmanpreet to maintain patience and composure on the field, which was evident in India’s performance in the final.
Captain Becomes India’s New Icon
This victory for India was not just about winning a trophy but the beginning of an era. Harmanpreet Kaur became the third Indian captain after MS Dhoni and Kapil Dev to lift the ODI World Cup trophy. This achievement placed her among the greatest leaders in Indian cricket history.
Won Hearts with Batting and Strategy
Harmanpreet’s performance throughout the tournament was outstanding. She scored 260 runs in 8 innings, including two half-centuries. In the semi-final against Australia, she played a crucial knock of 89 runs and shared a 167-run partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues. Although she scored only 20 runs in the final, her captaincy and timely bowling changes turned the match in India’s favor.
Created a New Record
With this victory, Harmanpreet Kaur also set a new record for the most runs scored in Women’s World Cup knockout matches. She surpassed Belinda Clark’s record of 330 runs, scoring 331 runs (average 110.33). This figure is a testament to her consistent performance and strong mentality in big matches.
Story Highlights
- Sachin Tendulkar called Harmanpreet the night before the final.
- India defeated South Africa by 52 runs to win the first Women’s ODI World Cup.
- Harmanpreet became the third Indian captain to lift the World Cup trophy.
- She created a new record by scoring the most runs in knockout matches.