India's Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 triumph: A story of resilience and growth
The atmosphere in Navi Mumbai returned to normal, with horns blaring, coffee shops bustling, and temperatures soaring. But for those who witnessed Harmanpreet Kaur's historic victory, it was a day etched in memory.
Despite a morning downpour threatening to dampen the festivities, India's victory over South Africa was a testament to their resilience. Deepti Sharma's winning wicket sealed their first World Cup win, breaking a three-final losing streak. The celebration continued until the last superstar left the field, with police assistance and barricades managing the chaotic streets.
While the tournament's success marked a turning point for women's cricket, it's important to remember that India's women and girls still face daily barriers to education, opportunities, and sports access. This victory alone won't shift attitudes overnight.
Shafali Verma, India's young all-rounder, recalled pretending to be a boy to join a cricket academy, highlighting the ongoing challenges. However, the tournament has ignited hope and a belief in inevitable success, attracting investment and inspiring future generations.
The Women's Premier League, established in 2023, has accelerated growth, and the tournament's demand and attention are set to soar.
Initially, the World Cup's presence in India was subtle. Billboards were scarce outside airports, and even near the grounds, the tournament's promotion was low-key. Airport staff were surprised by the "Cricket World Cup" on visas, indicating a lack of awareness.
The opening match against Sri Lanka in Guwahati was electric, but England's game against South Africa two days later attracted minimal attendance, a trend that continued. India's matches in Indore, Visakhapatnam, and Navi Mumbai were sold out, while others struggled to fill stands.
Prakash Wakankar, BBC Test Match Special commentator, noted the initial apathy in Mumbai, where people enjoyed their food and drinks rather than following the match. He emphasized the importance of taking games to smaller cities but acknowledged the challenges of extensive promotion in a vast country.
India's co-hosting with Sri Lanka due to political tensions with Pakistan, based in Colombo, coincided with the country's monsoon season. Five out of 11 games were washed out, significantly impacting Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand's performance. The 15:00 local time scheduling couldn't prevent rain, but the predictable weather patterns were a known challenge.
The choice of venues in India also raised questions, with difficult access and struggles to attract large crowds. However, the DY Patil Stadium's capacity of over 45,000 and sold-out matches suggest a strong potential for future events.
The tournament's lack of jeopardy, due to the rain and quiet group stage, missed the excitement of World Cups. The biggest shock would have been Pakistan beating England, but for the weather's intervention.
The semi-finals showcased the game's development, with four centuries (two by Wolvaardt, one by Litchfield, and one by Rodrigues) demonstrating the players' skill and power. Rodrigues' performance in Navi Mumbai, where India defeated Australia, reignited national hopes after group-stage defeats.
The final's build-up was electric, with queues forming outside the stadium days in advance. Stalls and vendors sold merchandise, and Sachin Tendulkar's pre-match talk and trophy presentation sent the crowd into a frenzy.
As the stars aligned, Harmanpreet Kaur delivered the perfect summary: "This is not the end, this is just the beginning." The tournament's success has ignited a passion that India must nurture, ensuring women's cricket's bright future.
