The Indian girls’s crew lifted their maiden World Cup title courtesy of a improbable all-round efficiency on Sunday, November 2. Going through South Africa, India triumphed over Laura Wolvaardt’s aspect in a tense, nerve-wracking remaining on the DY Patil Stadium.
All hell broke unfastened as captain Harmanpreet Kaur caught the ultimate ball within the forty sixth over, sealing India’s identify within the historical past books. The emotion on the gamers’ faces mentioned all of it — this was not only a victory however the fulfilment of a dream, a second of pleasure that marked India’s first-ever Girls’s World Cup title.
Maybe probably the most surreal a part of this triumph was how a mosaic of personalities got here collectively to make issues occur at totally different phases of the ultimate. The exuberance of Shafali Verma, the calm of Smriti Mandhana, the fierce depth of Harmanpreet Kaur, and the industriousness of Deepti Sharma all converged to assist India raise the trophy on house soil, simply two years after the heartbreak suffered by Rohit Sharma’s males’s crew.
On this article, we discover the journeys of the 16 stars who introduced glory to India — not solely as cricketers however as people with vibrant lives past the boundary.
Harmanpreet Kaur
We all know Harmanpreet Kaur because the passionate and enigmatic captain who leads with braveness and composure. However behind the fierce exterior lies a narrative of grit and defiance. The 36-year-old from Moga, Punjab, needed to battle stereotypes to carve her personal path in a sport lengthy dominated by males. Impressed by her father, Harmandar Singh Bhullar, a basketball and volleyball participant, she was decided to characterize India, even when it meant becoming a member of a males’s crew to show her value.
Harmanpreet as soon as shared a telling reminiscence of her mom’s doubts.
“I used to be very younger when my mom advised me, ‘You’re all the time enjoying with boys. You don’t have any imaginative and prescient on your profession.’ She requested me to study cooking and put on salwar kameez like different ladies. I advised her I’d make a life out of cricket — and after that, she by no means questioned me once more,” she mentioned in an interview with Cosmopolitan.
Since her debut in 2009, Harmanpreet has redefined Indian girls’s cricket. Her 171 in opposition to Australia within the 2017 World Cup stays iconic, and her management continues to encourage a number of generations of cricketers.
Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana is an avid gamer who loves enjoying Battlegrounds Cellular India (BGMI). She calls it her favourite stress-buster — a mixture of reflexes and technique that mirrors her cricketing instincts. As an A23 ambassador, she promotes accountable gaming, however off-duty, she’s usually seen immersed in intense BGMI classes with buddies.
Away from cricket, Smriti loves cooking and has even taken Punjabi delicacies courses. Her signature dish, spicy Paneer Tikka Masala, is what she calls “remedy in a bowl.” Cooking, for her, brings the identical pleasure as timing an ideal cowl drive.
A passionate traveler, Smriti goals of exploring Switzerland’s serene landscapes and Australia’s open air — a rustic she already is aware of nicely by cricket. When she’s not gaming, cooking, or touring, she indulges in her easiest luxurious: sleep. And when awake, she’s normally binge-watching her favourite Bollywood and Hollywood movies.
Jemimah Rodrigues
Some know her for her singing and reels, others for her dazzling fielding and batting aptitude. Jemimah Rodrigues is the spark that lights up each the Indian dressing room and the sphere.
Born to Catholic mother and father, Ivan and Lavita, Jemimah started enjoying cricket on the age of seven beneath the steering of her father, who was additionally her first coach. Rising up in Bandra, she was impressed by her brothers Eli and Enoch earlier than selecting cricket as her calling. Rising by Mumbai’s ranks, she quickly caught the attention of former England captain Nasser Hussain, who predicted she could be a future celebrity.
A religious Christian, Jemimah has confronted her share of trolling for her religion, but she stays grounded and decided. After a number of comebacks, the 25-year-old performed the innings of her life within the semifinal in opposition to Australia, propelling India into the 2025 World Cup remaining.
Deepti Sharma
Participant of the Match Deepti Sharma isn’t just an all-rounder but additionally a Deputy Superintendent of Police, very similar to Mohammed Siraj. Off the sphere, she’s deeply family-oriented and credit her mom for a lot of her knowledge and calm.
Deepti’s cricketing story started with an instinctive throw that modified her life. Watching her brother Sumit practice in Agra, she picked up a stray ball and hurled it straight into the coach’s arms — an act that caught the attention of former India batter Hemlata Kala. From that day, Sumit devoted himself to teaching Deepti, even quitting his job to assist her pursue cricket full-time. “When Deepti performs immediately, I play for India along with her,” he as soon as mentioned.
By 18, Deepti had already claimed a six-wicket haul in ODIs, certainly one of India’s best-ever bowling performances. Her 188 in opposition to Eire in 2017 stays legendary. On the 2025 World Cup, she grew to become the primary participant to attain 200 runs and take 15 wickets in a single version, underscoring her unmatched versatility and composure.
Richa Ghosh
Born in Siliguri, Richa Ghosh is India’s explosive finisher and a fearless hitter. An explorer at coronary heart, she loves discovering new cafs throughout her travels. At simply 14, she debuted for Bengal’s senior crew, and by 16, she was India’s youngest member on the 2020 T20 World Cup. Her attacking mindset, formed by enjoying with boys, translated seamlessly into worldwide cricket.
Coaches describe her as “unafraid of tempo or strain,” a trait she proved along with her record-breaking 94 in opposition to South Africa in 2025 — the best rating ever by a No. 8 batter. Regardless of fame, Richa stays humble, usually calling house for her mom’s fried rice after a giant sport.
Amanjot Kaur
Amanjot Kaur’s journey from Mohali’s bylanes to the Indian dressing room is a narrative of braveness born out of simplicity. Rising up in a household of modest means, she confronted societal scepticism about enjoying cricket with boys. Her greatest supporter was her grandmother, who all the time stood by her.
When Amanjot was denied a flip to bat as a result of she didn’t personal one, her father, a carpenter, crafted a bat in a single day from spare wooden. “That was my first bat,” she recalled. “It meant all the things.” Past cricket, Amanjot is a canine lover, usually sharing moments along with her pets on Instagram.
Renuka Singh Thakur
Renuka Singh Thakur was born on January 2, 1996, in Parsa village, Rohru tehsil, Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. She grew up in a modest family the place her father, Kehar Singh Thakur, labored in irrigation and public well being. Tragically, he handed away when Renuka was solely three years outdated. Her mom, Sunita Thakur, took up a authorities job as a Class IV worker to help the household. Regardless of their monetary struggles, Renuka’s father’s love for cricket left a deep impression on her — he had even named his son after cricketer Vinod Kambli.
Inspired by her uncle Bhupinder Singh Thakur, a bodily schooling instructor, Renuka joined the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Affiliation’s residential academy in Dharamsala round 2009. Rising up amidst the hills gave her a pure benefit in stamina and health. Her journey by Himachal’s age-group cricket was regular and decided, fuelled by her mom’s sacrifices and her personal self-discipline. From a small-town athlete with restricted means to a nationwide star, Renuka’s story is certainly one of quiet energy and perseverance.
Pratika Rawal
Born on September 1, 2000, in Delhi, Pratika Rawal grew up in a household that valued each lecturers and sports activities. Her father, Praveen Rawal, is a revered BCCI umpire, whereas her mom is a homemaker who all the time inspired her to steadiness research with athletic pursuits. Pratika’s sporting pursuits had been various — she excelled in basketball and even gained a gold medal for Delhi on the sixty fourth Faculty Nationwide Video games in 2019 earlier than dedicating herself absolutely to cricket.
Educated at Trendy Faculty, Barakhamba Street, she scored a powerful 92.5% in her Class 12 exams earlier than pursuing a Bachelor’s diploma in Psychology from Jesus and Mary School, Delhi College. Her background in psychology formed her understanding of the sport, permitting her to develop a powerful analytical and psychological method.
Pratika’s cricket journey started at age ten at Rohtak Street Gymkhana Cricket Academy, the place coaches Sharvan Kumar and later Dishant Yagnik helped her refine her batting. Balancing coaching and lecturers, she rose by Delhi’s ranks with outstanding self-discipline. Her schooling and sporting perception give her a singular perspective on efficiency, making her probably the most considerate younger batters in Indian cricket.
Radha Yadav
Radha Prakash Yadav was born on April 21, 2000, in Mumbai and grew up in Kandivali, although her roots hint again to Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh. Her father, Omprakash Yadav, ran a small vegetable and milk stall outdoors their housing society, whereas her mom managed the family. Born two and a half months untimely, Radha’s survival itself was a miracle, and that resilience later outlined her life.
Enjoying cricket with boys in slender Mumbai lanes, Radha’s expertise rapidly drew consideration. Coach Prafful Naik noticed potential in her and inspired formal coaching. Though her father initially hesitated as a result of monetary constraints, Naik’s confidence in her modified all the things. She started representing Mumbai in age-group tournaments and later moved to Baroda for higher alternatives.
Typically coaching with borrowed gear, Radha developed precision, management, and a fierce aggressive streak as a left-arm spinner. Her humble background instilled in her a piece ethic that has turn into her defining trait. From a vegetable vendor’s daughter to an India worldwide, her story displays the spirit of transformation by relentless effort and perception.
Harleen Kaur Deol
Harleen Deol’s rise in Indian cricket isn’t just about expertise but additionally in regards to the unshakable help of her household. Because the second girl from Chandigarh to characterize India, she has turn into a logo of persistence and beauty.
Her father fondly remembers her mischievous childhood.
“She typically missed her faculty bus on goal in order that I needed to drop her on my scooter. She cherished these rides. At college, she performed all the things — badminton, hockey, soccer. When her sports activities instructor advised me these had been boys’ video games, I refused to pay attention. I requested Harleen what she wished to play, and he or she selected cricket. My solely job was to face by her.”
By the age of eight, Harleen was already a part of the Beneath-19 crew enjoying within the IPSC event. From there, she made her mark within the Challenger sequence earlier than incomes her India debut. Her father says he stays pleased with her decisions, and his perception in giving daughters the liberty to determine their path has been his life’s best conviction.
“Each home ought to have a daughter,” he says. “They will need to have the liberty to decide on. Dad and mom solely want to face by them.”
Uma Chetry
Uma Chetry, the gifted wicketkeeper from Assam, is admired not just for her fast reflexes behind the stumps but additionally for her devotion and love for music. Deeply non secular, she usually sings bhajans in her native village of Kandulimari, filling the air with melody and religion. Her soulful performances as soon as earned her an invite to sing throughout a grand Shivratri celebration — an occasion that highlighted her deep connection to her roots.
Her brother, Bijoy Chetry, describes her as easy and grounded, somebody who finds happiness within the little issues. Uma can also be recognized for her fondness for Aaloo Ki Chatni, a tangy and spicy dish of mashed potatoes combined with chutneys and contemporary herbs. Whether or not on the cricket subject or at a village gathering, Uma Chetry’s heat and humility proceed to endear her to these round her.
Sneh Rana
Sneh Rana, the versatile Indian all-rounder from Sinaula, Dehradun, has a persona that fantastically balances creativity and journey. Off the sphere, she paints, sketches, and shares her artwork on social media, describing it as her means of discovering peace after intense matches.
When she’s not portray, Sneh is commonly travelling or trekking by India’s scenic landscapes. In interviews, she has mentioned that exploring new locations helps her reconnect with herself and retains her mentally sturdy. Her mixture of artwork, journey, and sport paints an image of a lady who thrives on each introspection and exploration. Portray offers her serenity, whereas trekking offers her energy — collectively, they preserve her grounded and impressed.
Shafali Verma
In Rohtak’s bustling lanes, a younger Shafali Verma as soon as picked up a bat bigger than herself — and with it, started rewriting what was attainable for ladies in Indian cricket. The daughter of a jewelry restore employee, Shafali was educated by her father, Sanjeev, who ignored social criticism and targeted on nurturing her expertise.
At simply 9, Shafali disguised herself as her brother Sahil, who had fallen unwell earlier than a boys’ Beneath-12 event. She minimize her hair brief, wore his equipment, and went on to win the Participant of the Match award. Her fearless model of batting, born in these early days, continues to outline her immediately. Off the sphere, Shafali stays humble and family-oriented, impressed by Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. Regardless of the celebrity, she carries the identical pleasure and gratitude that marked her beginnings in Rohtak’s dusty grounds.
Kranti Gaud
Kranti Gaud, generally known as Rohini in her village Ghuwara in Bundelkhand, represents braveness in its purest kind. Born on August 11, 2003, and the youngest of six siblings, she grew up in a modest family the place each meal was a battle. Her father, a police officer, misplaced his job in 2012, plunging the household into monetary hardship. But, her eldest brother, Mayank, noticed her potential and insisted she pursue cricket regardless of the percentages.
“There have been days we didn’t have correct meals. Folks mocked us for letting Kranti play cricket, however we by no means gave up,” Mayank recalled in an interview.
When Kranti earned her first business deal, she selected to make use of a part of her earnings to help underprivileged ladies at her childhood academy. Her final dream is to purchase her household a house — to make sure they by no means once more face the ache of displacement. Her story isn’t just certainly one of success however of deep empathy and resilience.
Arundhati Reddy
Ask Arundhati Reddy the place her story begins, and he or she’ll level to her mom. Rising up in Hyderabad, she was guided by her mom, Bhagya Reddy, a semi-professional volleyball participant who as soon as dreamed of representing India herself. When that dream handed to her daughter, Bhagya made positive nothing stood in her means — she coached her, inspired her, and even purchased her a scooter at 18 so she might attain follow classes extra simply.
Arundhati initially wished to be a wicketkeeper like her idol MS Dhoni, however her coaches noticed a pure quick bowler in her. They had been proper. Her tempo and aggression quickly made her certainly one of India’s most enjoyable younger prospects. Off the sphere, Arundhati is understood for her optimism, sense of humour, and gratitude towards her mom. For her, each match is greater than a contest; it’s the continuation of a shared dream between two girls sure by love, ambition, and sacrifice.
Shree Charani
The gradual left-arm orthodox spinner was one of many key figures behind India’s sensational win on the World Cup. Bowling by the essential center phases of the match, Shree Charani gave away greater than 6 runs an over, solely twice on this total event.
Her skill to bowl at a good tempo after which flip the ball away from the proper hander put almost each crew in hassle, serving to her choose 14 wickets within the event.
Shree Charani was fortunate to develop up in a household that cherished sports activities general. Charani, in an interview with ESPNcricinfo revealed that she was inspired to play all sports activities, however cricket remained a relentless in her life.
“From childhood, I performed with my uncle, brother, dad and sister,” she mentioned. “Every time our buddies close to the colony performed, I used to hitch. I performed many sports activities – kho kho, badminton, athletics – however cricket was a relentless.”
She was by no means into research, and simply wished to play cricket. Fortunately, her household was in help of that.
A shy individual, who used to function in monosyllables at first of her cricketing days, Shree Charani discovered help in unimaginable figures like Meg Lanning and former Australia batter Lisa Keightley, the assistant coach of Delhi Capitals, Charani’s WPL crew.
From there on, it was historical past.
– Ends