India captain Harmanpreet Kaur believes the side’s landmark triumph at the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup has changed far more than just the team’s trophy cabinet. As India prepares for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales, the skipper reflected on how last year’s success transformed belief within the squad and across women’s cricket in the country.
India ended years of waiting by lifting their first ICC women’s title in 2025, defeating South Africa in the ODI World Cup final. But for Harmanpreet, that victory represented a larger shift. “Winning that World Cup was a seminal moment for women’s cricket in India. It was bigger than one trophy. Most importantly, it brought belief and showed young girls that the highest stage is not out of reach.”
The triumph has naturally increased expectations heading into the T20 World Cup, where India will enter as one of the leading contenders. Harmanpreet acknowledged the pressure but described it as a positive consequence of success. “The Women’s World Cup 2025 win gave us a massive boost in confidence. However, it was only the beginning. We want to make winning a habit.”
India’s build-up to the tournament has included varied challenges across conditions. They completed a clean sweep over Sri Lanka at home, secured a landmark T20I series victory in Australia, their first there in a decade before enduring a difficult tour of South Africa. A final series in England before the World Cup is now serving as the last phase of preparation. While results have fluctuated, Harmanpreet believes the team has gained important lessons from every assignment.
India’s squad also carries an intriguing blend of established stars and fresh faces. Four players — Bharti Fulmali, Nandani Sharma, Shree Charani and Kranti Gaud, are set to experience their first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The India captain highlighted the impact of the Women’s Premier League in accelerating the growth in Indian cricket.
“A lot of credit goes to the Women’s Premier League (WPL). It has unearthed real talent and given players regular exposure to pressure situations, higher standards, and some of the best cricketers in the world.” She added that exposure to elite competition has strengthened both skill and mindset within the group, helping younger players develop maturity earlier in their careers.
England also carries special memories for Harmanpreet personally. Her unforgettable 171 not out against Australia in the 2017 Women’s World Cup semi-final remains one of the defining innings in women’s cricket history and helped transform public engagement with the women’s game in India.
Looking back on that tournament nearly a decade later, the India captain reflected on its wider impact. “My memories of the 2017 World Cup in England are still very fresh. My 171 against Australia changed a lot of things in my life. The team’s performance in the tournament was a turning point for Indian women’s cricket.”
India enters this year’s tournament carrying both expectation and momentum. The breakthrough title in 2025 removed one barrier. Now, Harmanpreet and her side are chasing something even bigger — proving that success was not a singular moment, but the beginning of a sustained era of Indian dominance.
(Quotes sourced from Harmanpreet Kaur’s column for ICC)
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