02/11/2025
Kapil Dev: 1983
MS Dhoni: 2011
Harmanpreet Kaur: 2025
2017 Womenโs World Cup Final, Lordโs. The greatest heartbreak in the history of Indian womenโs cricket.
England made 228/7. India were cruising at 191/3 in 42.4 overs, just 38 needed off 44 balls, 7 wickets in hand. Then came the collapse. All out for 219, falling short by 9 runs. Harman herself scored a fighting 51, but it wasnโt enough. Yet, something irreversible happened that night. Indian womenโs cricket changed forever.
India have rarely beaten Australia in white ball cricket over the last decade, but like in the 2025 semis, the girls came up clutch in the one match that mattered most, the 2017 semis. India hammered 281/4 in 42 overs, beating Australia by 36 runs. Harman led from the front with an outtttttrageous 171*(115) with 20 4s & 76s. It was the equivalent of Kapil Devโs 175 vs Zimbabwe in 1983, not just for the score, but for the revolution it sparked. That knock made a generation of young girls believe they could dream in blue. I know a lot of young girls who took up cricket after that World Cup. She broke a barrier that night.
8 years later, sheโs gone one better. As captain, leading India to their first ever World Cup title, herself contributing a crucial 89(88) in the semis vs Australia, marshalling her troops with poise & clarity, even pulling off the masterstroke of bowling Shafali in the final. Harman will be the face of belief for an entire generation of women. 8 years ago, womenโs cricket took a new turn. 8 years later, itโll never be the same again.
Captain. Leader. Legend. Harman! ๐
