Harmanpreet Kaur had the opportunity to realize this as captain of the Indian women’s cricket team. After defending champions Harmanpreet had the opportunity to win the world cup as well. Harmanpreet recalled the childhood dreams that made this victory a reality. After South Africa’s defeat by fifty two runs, the finals taking place in Navi Mumbai.
Since Harmanpreet was young, he has always had a love for cricket. “When I was younger, I remember my dad carving and his bat and then he gave it to me,” he said.
As a child, she would take the bat from his father's kit and pretend to play. She would watch India play and dream of wearing the blue jersey, and she was determined to make a mark. She did not know women’s cricket was a thing back then. Her dad’s cutting an old bat for her was the first step for her cricket journey.
Reflecting on the significance of this win, she says, “It feels like a dream come true, a dream I've had since childhood. In the past, I used to think eight hours of sleep was insufficient but now, even three hours of sleep feels refreshing.”
Harmanpreet told the story of what it felt like to be the world champion a few...
Describing the sensation of being crowned world champion, Harmanpreet became emotional, calling the sensation pure “magic,” which speaks volumes on the years of effort, determination, and a unified team spirit.
She also remembered the “heartbreak” of the 2017 World Cup when the India team “lost the match by 9 runs.” This did not stop the “overwhelming support” the team received which only fueled the determination to win. “Everyone was waiting for women's cricket to do something special. I believe it was everyone’s blessings that brought us to this point,” she added.
Hers was an inspiring message to every little girl, encouraging them to ki and dream: “That little girl, who knew nothing, still believed that one day she would bring change to her country. This shows that you should never stop dreaming. You never know where your destiny will take you.”
The final surprise was not only the win, but the humility of the women’s team. The South African players also praised India’s “exceptional conduct” and received India’s performance and respect pleasantly.
For the first time, the Indian women's cricket team has reached the finals of the T20 World Cup, marking a significant milestone not only for the team, but for the entire country. The team has put in a great deal of effort, and this recognition is undoubtedly well-deserved. It is a great source of pride for the country and the cricket team.
"We deserve this recognition. It is a great source of pride for the country and the cricket team."
He said, "There is a great sense of historic achievement."
The Women's T20 World Cup has long been an underappreciated competition, but finally having the opportunity to reach the finals has helped in gaining the recognition that it has long been denied. Making it to the finals has been an extraordinary achievement and the recognition has been well-deserved.