Star batter Smriti Mandhana (right) speaks while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur looks on during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 trophy unveiling ceremony in Mumbai on Monday.
PTI
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur on Monday said her team is determined to end its ICC trophy drought during next month’s ODI Women’s World Cup, adding that the preceding home series against title favourites Australia will give the side a clear picture of where it stands.
India have never won a world title despite coming close on several occasions, including the 2017 ODI World Cup in England, where they finished runners-up and captured the nation’s imagination.
“We want to break that barrier which all Indians are waiting for. World Cups are always special — always want to do something special for my country. Whenever I see Yuvi bhaiya (Yuvraj Singh) it gives me a lot of motivation,” Harmanpreet said at the trophy tour unveiling ceremony for the ODI World Cup.
Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, ex-captain Mithali Raj, and teammates Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues were also part of the event.
India go into the Australia series, starting September 14, high on confidence after beating England in away ODI and T20I series.
“Playing against Australia is always challenging and we get to know what our standing is. The series (three ODIs vs Australia) will give us a lot of confidence. We have been putting a lot of effort in our training camps and the results are showing,” said Harmanpreet.
Her match-winning 171* in the 2017 World Cup semifinal against Australia remains special.
“That knock was something really special to me and women’s cricket. A lot changed for me after that. When we came back to India, even though we had lost, so many people were waiting and cheering for us. I still get goosebumps,” she added.
Yuvraj urged players to believe they can win matches for the country.
Focus on the present situation rather than expectations, and stay in the moment. It's a wonderful chance to make history, but initially, don't concentrate solely on winning. Embrace the entire journey, have faith in the process, and the outcomes will follow," he remarked.
The 2011 World Cup Player of the Tournament emphasized the importance of experience and self-confidence in critical moments. "To win the World Cup, there will be pressure, and things might not always go smoothly, but that's when experience becomes crucial. Have confidence that you can secure victory for your country on that day," Yuvraj stated.
Rodrigues said, “A lot has changed with my preparation and mindset. I want my confidence to come from my preparation, and that gives me clarity.”
Mandhana added, “Our team is heading in a direction where we put in the hard work off the field so that on the field it becomes instinctive. That has been a massive change for the team and for me personally.”
Mithali noted that the 2017 World Cup was the turning point for women’s cricket in India.