INDOMITABLE INDIA

India crowned world champions in women's cricket by defeating South Africa in a hard fought final in Navi Mumbai

- Rasesh Mandani

Indian players celebrate with the trophy after winning the ICC Women's World Cup on Sunday.

(REUTERS)

There are moments in time when a sport elevates itself from the boundaries of skills and tactics. When it receives such widespread support that it takes the form of a revolution. The 1983 ODI World Cup win when the men beat the mighty West Indies was one such moment. The 2025 World Cup win by Harmanpreet Kaur and her team in front of a 45,000-strong capacity crowd in Navi Mumbai on Sunday could well prove to be another such moment.

It was perhaps only apt that captain Harmanpreet Kaur took the final catch as India beat South Africa by 52 runs after posting 298 in the final. As she ran off into the outfield, the rest of the stadium rose in unison.

The trophy had indeed come home.

Before the twin knockout matches in Navi Mumbai, the women's team had received massive support in Guwahati, Visakhapatnam and Indore.

Smriti No.18 made it to the unorganized stadium sales counters the same way as Virat No.18. As the marketing campaign went, "Jeetega to India hi na". After years of trying, they now finally have earned the right to be called world champions.