As journalists, we are expected to be objective. And it is our job to be so. But on occasion, you find it really difficult to stay neutral and talk reason. Today is one such. Yes, Australia are the favourites. They are the best team in the world by a mile. But then, this is a one-off game. We all know what can happen in a one-off contest. Rain and inclement weather notwithstanding, India do have a chance. In 2017, it was Harmanpreet Kaur who made the unthinkable happen. In 2025, it is yet one more opportunity for her and the girls.
Smriti Mandhana has been tremendous in the last few games. She has 365 runs already and is looking superb each time she steps out. Today is the day for her. To do something special, and elevate herself to a pedestal no one has reached in the women’s game in India. Yes, India have played multiple World Cup finals in the past. But a home World Cup final would be different.
When we say Australia are the favourites, we must remember that the pressure is on them as well. They need to live up to the tag and keep delivering. For India, they have come close time and again. Multiple times, they have had Australia on the mat. Think of the Commonwealth Games final at Edgbaston (2022), and you’ll know what I am talking about. Today is the day to cross the line. Stand up and be counted.
Sport is what it is because there are upsets. Not every time does the top seed win a tournament. In fact, it happens rarely that the best player or team goes on to win. It is all in the mind, and about who wants it more. India need to believe they can beat Australia. They will need to want that final that little bit more. They are the classic underdog story, and we love those, don’t we?
Imagine an impact innings from Shafali Verma to set things up. A carefree, impactful innings up front that creates a foundation. Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur can then build on it, and Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma can finish things off. And alongside all of them is Smriti, who can be the Pied Piper.
With the ball, it is essential that Renuka Singh Thakur steps up. Her incoming ball could very well account for the Aussie openers, and that’s what India will need up front. The spinners need to come to the party and the fielders need to back them up. If ever India needed to play the perfect game, it is today. Each one of us seeks perfection on an imperfect day, and for India, there is no better day to do so. It is the decisive one percent, the home stretch as they say in Olympic sport. India are on the cusp, and they need to make it count.
The prediction is for rains in Mumbai. That will mean a stop-start game and the toss will be key. Let’s hope that the gods bless Harmanpreet with the coin, for a win in this game could transform the sport in India forever.
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