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India women’s cricket team stands on the cusp of history as they face South Africa in the final of the 2025 ICC World Cup in Navi Mumbai today. This is the third time that an Indian women’s team has made it to the title clash of a one-day World Cup after ending up as runners-up on the previous two occasions. However, given the manner in which Harmanpreet Kaur-led India bounced back to enter the semi-finals where they knocked out the then defending champions Australia in a record-breaking chase, the hosts have acquired the favourites tag ahead of the summit clash. There’s plenty of chatter around how if India manage to end their ICC title jinx, this could be a watershed moment for women’s cricket in the country, a la 1983 when Kapil Dev created history by captaining an unheralded Indian team to a stunning men’s ODI World Cup title triumph. However, the great man himself isn’t a fan of the comparisons. “A lot of people compare them to ‘83, and I don’t want there to ever be a comparison. These girls are very good, very smart and the way they played cricket, it felt like they took the level of cricket to the next level,” Dev said on Star Sports. Kapil was also fulsome in his praise for skipper Harmanpreet whose 89 was vital to India successfully chasing down the daunting target of 339 against Australia in the semi-finals. “The way the captain played cricket is of a different level, and I would like that tomorrow’s final should be better than this. I can understand that you want to win to a certain extent, but what kind of cricket you play should be discussed more,” Kapil said. “If they win, there will be even more happiness, but they should play good cricket. The way they have played, it will be even better,” he concluded.
