Just a day before the highly anticipated final of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2025 against South Africa, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur talked at length about what it means for her and the side
to be competing in a game of such magnitude. In the pre-match press conference at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, the 35-year-old remarked about the grand finale that “there is nothing bigger than this in our life as a cricketer”.
India have made the final of the Women’s CWC for the third time in their history while for South Africa, it is going to be their first appearance at the grand stage. Harmanpreet Kaur has already been a part of the final of the tournament the previous time India made it in 2017, but it ended in despair against hosts England at Lord’s in London after they found themselves in good position to win the final.
Harmanpreet Kaur will be playing her second ICC Women's CWC final
In the press conference, the Indian captain detailed the team’s approach to the ICC Women’s CWC 2025 final apart from stating that it’s the “biggest opportunity” for them to win it for the first-time ever. She was quoted as saying, as per ESPNcricinfo, “Keeping yourself balanced and focused is something which is the key. We are having those sessions where we have been talking about how we can be more focused and more balanced and at the same time keeping ourselves relaxed because this is the biggest stage and biggest opportunity for us, playing in home conditions and that also final match.”
Harmanpreet Kaur also alluded to the importance of enjoying the match rather than putting too much pressure on yourself to do the right thing. She remarked, “But I think the most important thing is that we have to enjoy this because there is nothing bigger than this in our life as a cricketer and as a captain. So our focus is to enjoy this moment and keep taking small targets which we have to achieve as a team rather than thinking bigger targets because you can achieve bigger targets if you achieve the small targets.”
The Indian captain also hilariously addressed the matter of the tickets - which is something the loved ones of the players often asked them to provide especially for the big matches - stating to the journalists that they are already well versed with him with a sheepish smile on her face. Moreover, With the exit of Pratika Rawal from the squad due to ankle injury, her replacement Shafali Verma will be the key for India to make a good start as far as their batting effort in the final is concerned.
