Mumbai: India’s memorable triumph at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 was built on resilience, self-belief, and timely interventions. As the Women in Blue prepare for their next major challenge—the pursuit of a maiden ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title—captain Harmanpreet Kaur, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, star batter Jemimah Rodrigues, and former New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine revisited some defining moments from the tournament on JioStar’s Unstoppable.
One of the most inspiring stories of the campaign was the remarkable turnaround of Jemimah Rodrigues, who emerged from a difficult phase to play crucial innings during India’s road to glory.
Jemimah Opens Up About Her Lowest Moment
Rodrigues revealed that there was a point during the tournament when she was uncertain whether she would even be selected for the crucial must-win match against New Zealand.
After struggling with the bat in the early stages of the World Cup, frustration and self-doubt had begun to take hold.
She recalled spending hours in the nets trying to force her way back into form, hitting balls with sheer emotion rather than technique. The pressure eventually became overwhelming, leading to an emotional breakdown.
Rodrigues said a conversation with teammate Arundhati Reddy helped her regain perspective. A visit to church and some much-needed mental reset allowed her to rediscover the positivity that had been missing throughout the tournament.
The change in mindset proved invaluable.
A Defining Knock Against New Zealand
When India faced New Zealand in what was effectively a knockout contest, Rodrigues walked to the crease carrying both pressure and uncertainty.
She admitted it was one of the most nervous moments of her career. Her only goal was to survive the early overs, keep things simple, and support the team’s cause.
With Pratika Rawal already settled at the other end, Rodrigues focused on rotating the strike and playing percentage cricket. Gradually, confidence returned, and she produced a match-winning unbeaten 76.
For Rodrigues, that innings remains more meaningful than the century she later scored in the semi-final against Australia.
She described the New Zealand encounter as India’s “quarter-final,” believing that victory in that match laid the foundation for everything that followed.
Harmanpreet Explains the Decision That Changed Everything
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur revealed that the team management had made a deliberate decision to give Rodrigues a short break following the league-stage match against Australia.
According to Harmanpreet, the move was never about dropping the batter or exploring other options. Instead, it was a strategic decision aimed at helping Rodrigues recover mentally and emotionally after a difficult run of form.
The captain noted that the team could see her confidence slipping and felt that rest would be more beneficial than additional training sessions.
Rodrigues was left out of the England fixture but remained firmly in the team’s plans.
Harmanpreet said the management always viewed her as a key player for the crucial New Zealand match and trusted that she would return refreshed. That faith was rewarded when Rodrigues delivered one of the most important innings of India’s campaign.
“If we hadn’t given her a break after the Australia game, things might have gone wrong,” Harmanpreet reflected, highlighting the importance of player management during high-pressure tournaments.
Smriti’s Century Arrives at the Perfect Time
Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana also reflected on her own challenging start to the World Cup.
Despite entering the tournament in excellent form after scoring heavily against Australia in the preceding ODI series, Mandhana struggled to make an impact in the opening matches.
However, she remained confident that a big score was not far away.
That breakthrough finally came against New Zealand in the decisive group-stage encounter, where she produced a magnificent century under pressure.
Mandhana described the innings as particularly satisfying because it arrived when India needed it most, helping secure a place in the semi-finals.
Sophie Devine Praises Record-Breaking Opening Stand
Former New Zealand captain Sophie Devine admitted her side had no answers to the stunning opening partnership between Mandhana and Pratika Rawal.
The pair combined for a monumental 212-run stand, taking the game away from New Zealand and putting India firmly in control.
Devine acknowledged that despite careful planning and tactical adjustments, her bowlers were unable to contain the two batters, who consistently found gaps, rotated strike effectively, and maintained relentless pressure.
She described the partnership as one of the defining moments of the tournament and a major reason behind India’s surge into the knockout stages.
A Campaign Built on Resilience
Looking back, India’s World Cup victory was not solely defined by centuries, wickets, or match-winning performances. It was also shaped by resilience during difficult moments, strong team support, and the willingness to make bold decisions when required.
Whether it was Jemimah Rodrigues overcoming self-doubt, Harmanpreet Kaur backing a struggling teammate, or Smriti Mandhana delivering when the stakes were highest, each story contributed to a remarkable campaign that ended with India lifting the ODI World Cup trophy.
As attention now shifts toward the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, the lessons from that unforgettable journey may once again prove invaluable for a team determined to continue making history.
