The Indian women’s team lifted their maiden World Cup title courtesy of a fantastic all-round performance on Sunday, November 2. Facing South Africa, India triumphed over Laura Wolvaardt’s side in a tense, nerve-wracking final at the DY Patil Stadium.

All hell broke loose as captain Harmanpreet Kaur caught the final ball in the 46th over, sealing India’s name in the history books. The emotion on the players’ faces said it all — this was not just a victory but the fulfilment of a dream, a moment of pride that marked India’s first-ever Women’s World Cup title.

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Perhaps the most surreal part of this triumph was how a mosaic of personalities came together to make things happen at different stages of the final. The exuberance of Shafali Verma, the calm of Smriti Mandhana, the fierce intensity of Harmanpreet Kaur, and the industriousness of Deepti Sharma all converged to help India lift the trophy on home soil, just two years after the heartbreak suffered by Rohit Sharma’s men’s team.

In this article, we explore the journeys of the 16 stars who brought glory to India — not only as cricketers but as individuals with vibrant lives beyond the boundary.

Harmanpreet Kaur

We know Harmanpreet Kaur as the passionate and enigmatic captain who leads with courage and composure. But behind the fierce exterior lies a story of grit and defiance. The 36-year-old from Moga, Punjab, had to battle stereotypes to carve her own path in a sport long dominated by men. Inspired by her father, Harmandar Singh Bhullar, a basketball and volleyball player, she was determined to represent India, even if it meant joining a men’s team to prove her worth.

Harmanpreet once shared a telling memory of her mother’s doubts.

“I was very young when my mother told me, ‘You’re always playing with boys. You have no vision for your career.’ She asked me to learn cooking and wear salwar kameez like other girls. I told her I’d make a life out of cricket — and after that, she never questioned me again,” she said in an interview with Cosmopolitan.

Since her debut in 2009, Harmanpreet has redefined Indian women’s cricket. Her 171 against Australia in the 2017 World Cup remains iconic, and her leadership continues to inspire multiple generations of cricketers.

Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana is an avid gamer who loves playing Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). She calls it her favorite stress-buster — a mix of reflexes and strategy that mirrors her cricketing instincts.