New Delhi, Nov 7: On the eve of India's most important game in women's cricket history, a familiar name lit up Harmanpreet Kaur's phone screen - Sachin Tendulkar.
The cricketing legend, who had himself endured the pain of World Cup heartbreak before lifting the trophy in 2011, had a simple message for India's captain before the 2025 ICC Women's World Cup final against South Africa.
"The night before the match, Sachin sir called," Harmanpreet revealed on The ICC Review. "He shared his experience and asked us to keep our balance. When the game is going fast, just slow it down a little. Try and control it because when you go too fast, chances are you can stumble. "
It wasn't just advice - it was wisdom forged through years of experience. And as fate
would have it, those very words became the calm heartbeat of India's storm in Navi Mumbai the next day.
A Dream Completed, a Circle Closed
When Harmanpreet Kaur caught Nadine de Klerk at long-on to seal India's 52-run win in the final, she wasn't just celebrating a World Cup - she was closing a circle that began eight years earlier in Lord's, where England had broken Indian hearts in 2017.
This time, the story ended differently. The 36-year-old lifted the trophy she had dreamt of since childhood - a moment shared with her parents in the stands, her teammates in tears, and her country in celebration.
"Since my childhood, my parents have heard me say that I want to wear India's jersey, lead the team, and win the World Cup," Harmanpreet said. "To finally do it, with them watching, was beyond words. "
The Tendulkar Connection: From One Redemption Story to Another
In many ways, Sachin Tendulkar's call wasn't just about tactics - it was symbolic.
Both Tendulkar (2011) and Harmanpreet (2025) carried the weight of generations. Both knew the sting of defeat before tasting glory on home soil.
For Harmanpreet, that connection made the moment even more special. She followed his advice to the letter - staying calm during tense chases, slowing the tempo when nerves threatened to take over, and trusting her instincts.
That balance became the defining theme of India's campaign, as the team regrouped after early defeats to Australia, England, and South Africa to script a stirring comeback.
India's Collective Spirit Shines
India's triumph wasn't built on one hero, but a team of believers.
- Shafali Verma, drafted in as an emergency replacement, smashed 87 runs and took two vital wickets in the final.
- Smriti Mandhana anchored the batting with 434 runs in nine games, including a century against New Zealand.
- Deepti Sharma, the Player of the Tournament, claimed 22 wickets and scored crucial fifties in pressure situations.
"We always prayed for each other to perform," Harmanpreet said. "That unity - that's what got us across the line. "
Sharing the Moment with Legends
When the celebrations began, Harmanpreet and her team called two familiar faces onto the field - Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. Both had come agonisingly close to the title in 2005 and 2017; both were there in the commentary box this time, watching their dream come true through a new generation.
"We had decided that when we finally win it, they must be there," Harmanpreet said. "It wasn't just our win - it was theirs too. "
That moment - with the past and present embracing at DY Patil Stadium - was the perfect picture of Indian women's cricket coming full circle.
A Historic First
With the 2025 victory, Harmanpreet Kaur became the first Indian woman and third Indian captain overall (after Kapil Dev in 1983 and MS Dhoni in 2011) to lift a senior ICC World Cup trophy. "Maybe I'll realise after a few months what we've achieved," she smiled. "Right now, it still feels like a dream. "
From One Champion to Another
For Tendulkar, the 2011 World Cup was a culmination of decades of effort.
For Harmanpreet, the 2025 title - and that calm, reassuring phone call - symbolised the continuation of that spirit: of resilience, redemption, and belief.
On a night of destiny, the words of one Indian legend became the inspiration for another.
