In an inspiring revelation, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur highlighted the profound impact of Sachin Tendulkar’s pre-final advice on their victorious 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup campaign. Tendulkar, a figure who knows the World Cup journey intimately, contacted the team the night before they faced South Africa in the final. He shared personal anecdotes and urged them to maintain composure, stating, “He shared his experience and asked us to keep our balance. When the game is going fast, just slow it down a little. Try to control it because when you go too fast, chances are you can stumble.” This guidance proved invaluable as India clinched their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup title with a 52-run victory. For Kaur, the win represented the fulfillment of a lifelong aspiration, made even more special by the presence of her parents. The captain confessed that the reality of their achievement is still difficult to fully comprehend, likening the current feeling to that of winning a minor series rather than the ultimate prize.
