Snehasis Mukherjee in Navi Mumbai
November 2, 2025, is now etched into the history of Indian Women’s Cricket as the team clinched their maiden World Cup title by defeating South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
Team India’s campaign had its ups and downs. They started with two back-to-back wins, then lost momentum with three consecutive defeats, and finally bounced back to lift the trophy. But for the writer, the journey had begun months earlier — long before he and his senior colleague, Trisha Ghosal, reached Guwahati on September 24.
From setting up interviews and chatting with several current and former cricketers to preparing SWOT analyses of every participating team, the pre-tournament build-up was intense. Then came the World Cup journey itself — from Guwahati to Colombo to Vizag to Indore to Navi Mumbai. Along with the team, both travelled to every destination, often arriving before the squad itself. Across 40 days, we witnessed every practice session, be it full-team or optional ones.
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It was only the second ICC tournament for the writer. The first came in 2024 in Dubai, covering the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, where India had a disappointing campaign after failing to qualify for the semifinals. This time, however, the World Cup was at home — a rare privilege for any journalist, especially for an ODI World Cup. For that, the writer remains deeply thankful to Boria Majumdar sir, for the opportunity and the platform to witness history being made.
The learning experience was immense. Watching Harmanpreet Kaur practice alone, using tiles to counter bowlers, or Smriti Mandhana showcasing her leadership while guiding teammates during long batting sessions — these moments were special. Bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi prepared bowlers with wet balls to simulate dewy conditions, while fielding coach Munish Bali worked tirelessly, particularly to help Richa Ghosh improve after her poor outing against Pakistan. Head coach Amol Muzumdar kept a close watch on every player’s progress. These experiences have truly enriched the writer’s understanding of the game.
Then came the matches — moments that yours truly will never forget. The semifinal against Australia saw India chase down a record 339 runs, powered by Jemimah Rodrigues’ outstanding unbeaten century, supported by Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, and Richa Ghosh. The atmosphere was electric, and the emotions that swept through the players, fans, and even the media box were indescribable.
Two days later came another moment of pure joy — the final against South Africa. When skipper Laura Wolvaardt was going strong, tension filled the media box. But the turning point arrived when Amanjot Kaur held on to a crucial catch, and soon after, the final wicket fell. The stadium erupted as fireworks lit up the sky, and one chant echoed all around — “India, the World Champions!”
Songs like “Vande Mataram”, “Chak De India”, and “Lehra Do” filled the air as fans celebrated with tears and pride. For the writer, it was a moment to cherish forever — especially watching legends Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami lift the trophy, honoured by the new generation they had inspired.
The night ended perfectly. The team walked around the ground, acknowledging the fans’ support, while the writer and Trisha stood soaking in the joy of witnessing history. It was a dream finish to the World Cup coverage, and a heartfelt thank you from the writer goes to Trisha for her constant guidance and support throughout the tour.
As the journey ends, both are set to return home with a champion’s feeling in their hearts and finally, a big thank you to Team India for the memories that will last a lifetime.
