An emotional Amol Muzumdar called India’s first-ever Women’s World Cup triumph a “watershed moment” for Indian cricket, saying the team had made every Indian proud.
“I’m speechless. Absolutely proud. They deserve every bit of this moment,” Muzumdar said after India’s 52-run victory over South Africa in the final at DY Patil Stadium. “The hard work, the belief — they’ve made every Indian proud.”
Muzumdar, who took over as head coach in 2023, said the team never let early setbacks define them. “We never saw those as losses,” he said. “We dominated most of those matches. We just needed to finish better — and once we did, there was no looking back.”
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India’s win was built on a complete performance led by 21-year-old Shafali Verma, who scored 87 and took two wickets. “One word for Shafali — magical,” Muzumdar said. “Semi-final, final, packed stadium, all the pressure — she turns up every time. Runs, wickets, catches, everything. Couldn’t be prouder.”
Deepti Sharma’s five-wicket haul and Sree Charani’s composure at the death completed the job for India, who bowled South Africa out for 246 after posting 298. Muzumdar also credited India’s renewed focus on fielding and fitness. “That was one thing we spoke a lot about in the dressing room. They just turned it up today. I couldn’t have asked for more.”
For Muzumdar, long regarded as one of the unluckiest cricketers never to represent India at the highest level, this moment carried special meaning. “It’s a watershed moment,” he said. “The ripple effects will be felt for generations.”
As the celebrations unfolded and Harmanpreet Kaur’s team embraced each other in tears, Muzumdar’s words summed up the sentiment of a nation. The triumph wasn’t just about lifting a trophy; it was about belief, perseverance, and rewriting history.
On November 2, 2025, India didn’t just win a World Cup — they inspired millions, proving that every setback can be the beginning of something extraordinary.
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