After near-misses in earlier editions, captain Harmanpreet Kaur is eyeing a change in fortunes as India face South Africa within the ICC Girls’s ODI World Cup 2025 in historic last on the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, November 2.
Notably, India had reached the ultimate in 2017 however could not make it to the semifinals within the following version, extending their look forward to a title. Kaur, who was a part of each campaigns, is decided to expertise the sensation of lifting the trophy this time.
“We already know what it seems like after dropping (a last), however after profitable a sport what is the feeling is one thing we’re actually trying ahead to (expertise),” Harmanpreet stated within the pre-match press convention, on the eve of the ultimate.
“Hopefully, tomorrow’s day is particular for us and I hope we play our greatest cricket. Up until now, we’ve got labored very arduous nevertheless it’s about getting the whole lot collectively for the staff,” she added.
India reached the ultimate after an exciting semi-final win in opposition to Australia, pulling off the very best profitable chase ever in a ladies’s ODI. Then again, South Africa defeated England to qualify for his or her first-ever last.
With each Australia and England, the 2 most profitable sides in ladies’s cricket lacking out this time, Kaur believes the prospect of a first-time winner provides to the joy of the ultimate.
“It is a good feeling that two totally different groups are within the last. We’ve got been seeing for a few years that Australia has been dominating ladies’s cricket and England was at that stage too roughly. I am feeling good that there are two totally different groups as a result of which there’s extra pleasure and us reaching the ultimate is just not solely particular for us but additionally Indian followers as a result of they’ve been the most important help for us.” the Indian skipper stated.
India’s Street To The Closing Of ICC Girls’s ODI World Cup 2025
India’s highway to the ultimate wasn’t simple. They suffered three defeats within the group stage which put their semi-final qualification unsure. However they bounced again by beating New Zealand in a must-win conflict after which shocked an unbeaten Australian aspect to ebook their place within the last.
Reflecting on that tough patch within the event, Harmanpreet stated: “The staff by no means shook up as soon as as a result of although we had three losses regardless of that we had been all collectively and had been speaking we’ve got a terrific alternative to achieve the ultimate. That was a constructive mindset which actually helped us to achieve the ultimate.”
In the meantime, South Africa, who handed India their first defeat of the event, started their marketing campaign with a heavy loss to England however bounced again impressively with 5 consecutive wins to achieve the semifinals. They then knocked out England, who had misplaced solely as soon as to Australia earlier than that.
The 36-year-old Kaur acknowledged South Africa’s strengths however expressed confidence in her personal aspect forward of the massive sport.
“South Africa’s begin was not good however the best way they got here again within the event was excellent to look at. They’re a balanced aspect. We all know they’ve a very good bowling assault and on the similar time, they’ve batting depth too,” she stated.
“However we’ve got many positives in our staff too. So I really feel tomorrow’s match goes to be attention-grabbing and mentally and bodily, we’ve got been making ready for that. And hopefully we’ll get pleasure from ourselves tomorrow,” she added.