Felt We Could Win from the First Ball Itself It was a night to remember forever — India’s women’s cricket team finally lifted their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup trophy at the DY Patil Stadium. The atmosphere was electric, with over 45,000 fans cheering every moment as Harmanpreet Kaur’s team made history. For captain Harmanpreet and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, this win was more than just a trophy — it was the reward for years of hard work, heartbreaks, and endless belief.
After the match, an emotional Harmanpreet Kaur summed up her team’s mindset with one unforgettable line — “Felt we could win from the first ball itself.” This phrase perfectly captured the confidence, unity, and determination that carried Team India through tough conditions and high-pressure moments.
The Journey of Belief and Redemption
Harmanpreet Kaur revealed that she and Smriti had faced many heartbreaks together in previous World Cups. “We’ve played many World Cups, lost in finals and semifinals, and sometimes not even reached that far,” she said. “But every time, we told ourselves — start again from ball one. This time, we truly felt we could win from the first ball itself.”
Even before the final began, rain delays and a lost toss couldn’t shake India’s confidence. “It didn’t matter that we lost the toss,” said Harmanpreet. “Our mindset was clear — felt we could win from the first ball itself. Smriti and Shafali gave us a great start, handling the tough conditions brilliantly.”
That calm belief wasn’t built overnight. It came after years of failures, self-reflection, and growth. Harmanpreet mentioned how, after losing to England earlier in the tournament, the team began meditation and visualization sessions. “From that day, something changed in us,” she recalled. “We stayed positive and felt we could win from the first ball itself.”
The steady guidance of coach Amol Muzumdar also transformed the team. Harmanpreet praised him, saying, “Before Sir, we had many coaching changes. But once he came, things became stable. He gave us belief and calmness — we all felt we could win from the first ball itself.”
Destiny, Team Spirit, and a Dream Fulfilled
The final wasn’t just about performance — it was about destiny and unity. Shafali Verma, who replaced injured Pratika Rawal before the semifinals, played the match of her life with 87 runs and two wickets. Harmanpreet said, “When Shafali came in, we told her not to feel pressure. Even Pratika was positive. That’s why we felt we could win from the first ball itself. Everyone stayed strong for each other.”
During South Africa’s chase, Laura Wolvaardt’s century gave a brief scare, but Harmanpreet remained calm. “I told the team, have faith. ODI cricket has many phases — we just need 10 good balls. That’s when we truly felt we could win from the first ball itself.”
Harmanpreet also paid tribute to legends like Jhulan Goswami and Anjum Chopra, who inspired her during her early days. “They guided me when I was raw,” she said. “I learnt from them and passed it to my team. Because of that guidance, we felt we could win from the first ball itself.”
And when the venue was shifted to DY Patil Stadium, the team believed it was a sign. “We were thrilled,” Harmanpreet smiled. “We’ve always played well there. We told ourselves, this is home — we felt we could win from the first ball itself.”
For Harmanpreet Kaur and her team, this victory wasn’t just about breaking a record — it was about proving that belief can rewrite history. They overcame pressure, injuries, and expectations to become world champions.
From the first ball to the last, one emotion stayed constant — “Felt we could win from the first ball itself.”
It was not just a phrase; it was the heartbeat of India’s triumph — a powerful reminder that when belief meets preparation, miracles truly happen.
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