Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai
India are less than a day away from their third ICC Women’s ODI World Cup final, this time on home soil. After a thrilling semi-final win over Australia, captain Harmanpreet Kaur addressed the media in Mumbai, composed, grounded, yet visibly emotional. Here are the key takeaways from her pre-final press conference.
“We Know What It Feels Like to Lose”
Having been part of 2017 (ODI WC), and 2020 (T20 WC) heartbreaks, Harmanpreet admitted that the team’s hunger to win has only intensified. “We know what it feels like to lose, and now we really want to know what it feels like to win,” she said with a smile. “Hopefully, tomorrow will be a special day for us. We’ve worked very hard, it’s about putting everything together for the team.”
Facing South Africa: Lessons from the Past
India face South Africa, one of the sides that beat them in the group stage. Harmanpreet credited her opponents’ balance but stressed belief in her own unit. “They have good depth and a strong bowling attack, but our team also has a lot of positives. Tomorrow’s match will be very interesting, we’re mentally and physically prepared to enjoy it.”
On Handling Pressure and Emotional Recovery
After an intense semi-final win over Australia, Harman revealed that recovery, both mental and physical, was the team’s biggest focus. “The fresher we are, the better we’ll perform. Skill-wise, we’ve done the work for years. Now it’s about staying mentally relaxed and ready.”
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She also opened up about her emotions. “I’m a very emotional person, I cry a lot, not just after losses but even after wins. These moments matter. I tell my team, if you feel like crying, cry. Enjoy it. This doesn’t come often.”
Home Support and the Dream Moment
The DY Patil Stadium is expected to be packed. Harmanpreet acknowledged that while the emotions will run high, the key will be balance. “The crowd gives us so much motivation. Playing a home World Cup final is the biggest stage of our lives, we just want to enjoy it and focus on small goals throughout the game.”
A Message to the Next Generation
Asked about her message to young girls, she said, “Keep enjoying whatever you do. The world has changed, parents are supportive, and opportunities are growing. Our focus tomorrow is to bring more awareness and pride to women’s cricket.”
Tomorrow, as India take the field, it won’t just be a match, it’ll be the culmination of years of grit, heartbreak, and hope.
