When the final wicket fell and the tricolor erupted across the stadium, India wasn’t just celebrating a trophy — it was celebrating a revolution in women’s cricket. The 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup triumph wasn’t an overnight miracle. It was the outcome of technical refinement, nerves of steel, and players maturing into world-beaters.
As someone who has experienced the grind of professional cricket, this win was a showcase of everything a coach wishes to see in their players — temperament, adaptability, and cricketing IQ. Each member of this squad brought a crucial ingredient to the mix.
Mandhana isn’t just a batter; she is India’s template for excellence. Her balance at the crease, head stillness, and perfect weight transfer make her drives a masterclass. What stood out was her new dimension — resilience. There were no soft dismissals, no rash drives when bowlers probed. She absorbed pressure, rotated strike, then unfurled those majestic cover drives once set. She carried the batting group like a true senior pro.
The six-hitting prodigy has now become a true opener. Earlier, bowlers would simply wait for her mistake — swing hard, die young. But this World Cup, her selection improved. She played late, trusted her defense, and once she sized up the pitch, unleashed her trademark brutality. A coach’s dream: aggression maturing with patience.
If Smriti Mandhana sets the tone, Harmanpreet Kaur defines the heartbeat of this team. And how can one forget Richa Ghosh, the fearless wicketkeeper-batter, or Jemimah Rodrigues, whose superb century knocked out the seven-time World Champions Australia in the crucial semifinal? To me, Andhra’s Sri Charani is one of the brightest prospects for Indian cricket — the only bowler who truly looked capable of turning the ball at will.
It wasn’t just her runs — it was her game awareness. Field changes that suffocated set batters, bowling switches that broke momentum, and quiet moments of reassurance to youngsters under heat. With bat in hand, her middle-order composure shielded collapses. Fighters don’t always shout — sometimes they lead with calm certainty.
Her wicketkeeping has evolved remarkably — cleaner takes, improved footwork, and swift reactions. But her biggest contribution came in chases. Fearless yet calculated. She reads length early, creating scoring areas even against elite pace. A finisher who believes the game is never lost — that’s a rare asset in women’s cricket.
Jemi is the tactical binder of this batting unit. Her game against spin is unmatched — soft hands, late touches, and the ability to find gaps without risks. Coaches love such players: they keep the board ticking and relieve pressure. Her partnerships were tournament-defining even when she wasn’t the headline act.
Every champion side needs one player who rescues the day when nothing goes right. Deepti did that. With ball, she was subtle variations, impeccable spacing, and unerring discipline. With bat, she absorbed pressure, unfazed by scoreboard panic. Her cricketing maturity is now world-class.
From a raw talent to a strike bowler — what an evolution! Hit-the-deck pace, a skiddy release, and aggressive lengths made life hell for opposition top orders. She showed that India can win with pace too, not just spin. Her late-order hitting added priceless cushion.
The art of swing bowling is dying worldwide. Renuka revived it. New ball in hand, she made batters play — late swing, beautiful seam upright, and plans executed like clockwork. Her ability to remove key players upfront tilted contests early in India’s favour.
- Technically improved batting
- Bowling group with multiple match-winners
- Fitness levels allowing aggressive fielding and sustained intensity
- Consistent game plans and belief in execution
Above all — they played fearless but intelligent cricket.
This moment will echo across school grounds and coaching academies. Young girls, once hesitant to dream, will now see tangible proof — India’s daughters can conquer the cricketing world.
The men inspired a generation in 1983.
The women have just ignited the next one in 2025.
As a former Ranji cricketer, I’ve lived the highs and heartbreaks of this sport. Watching this team succeed with such authority isn’t just pride — it’s vindication for everyone who believed Indian women deserved equal spotlight.
This isn’t the end of an underdog story.
This is the beginning of a dynasty.
Interestingly, I was pleasantly surprised by the cricket shoes some players were wearing while batting — the latest innovation in cricketing footwear.
