Within the Indian women’s cricket team dressing room during the high-stakes ODI World Cup match against New Zealand in DY Patil Stadium Navi Mumbai, the mood was not only changed by cricketing determination but also a dose of color and imagination. At the center of this new energy was a humble, hand-drawn poster – a peacock drawn by Renuka Singh Thakur.
Sneh Rana said while looking at the poster “Dil Maange Mor!”. That became the motto of the drawing which means the heart wants more, there is a hunger to be better every upcoming day. As Smriti Mandhana steered the innings and reached her half-century, the playful energy in the dressing room soared. “Now it’s time for 100”. So, they wrote 100 above the peacock.
The peacock, with its bright feathers and dignified attitude, soon became the emblem of hope for the team, symbolizing positivity at a time when they most needed it. The girls are enjoying making the dressing room environment “chill” and vibrant. It was very crucial after three continuous losses. The plan was to simply lighten up the mood initially.
Pratika Rawal mentions after entering the room and seeing the poster, she felt the energy change in an instant a collective sense of happiness and serenity infused the air, converting nervous tension to shared laughter and support. The peacock posted saw the team get two hundreds, so Pratika said, ” I was like, make it in every match.”
Mandhana herself encapsulated the mood of the moment, saying, “Meri dukaan unki duaon se chalti hai,” adding further fun to the story that has been widely followed and went viral on social media. As India is ready to climb that knockout mountain where the trophy is at the peak, and the milestone seemed within reach, the slogan “Dil Maange Mor” became nearly a team mantra.
India not only won a vital match against New Zealand, with both Smriti and Pratika achieving personal milestones, but also created an atmosphere in which fun and grit lived together. The dressing room, a tension-filled place guarded by walls of silence in the past, was now an abode of laughter, harmony, and common purpose where even a doodle could be inspiring.
India qualified for the semifinals after a win over New Zealand by 53 runs (DLS method) and their last group stage match is against Bangladesh on 26 October 2025. After that they will be playing semifinals and eyes will be on that shiny trophy and champion’s title.
Loves all things female cricket