ODI WC crown gave us confidence and self-belief to win titles anywhere in the world: Harmanpreet

Story by PTI | Posted by Vidushi Gaur | Date 25-03-2026

India women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur

New Delhi

India women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur on Wednesday said the team’s maiden ODI World Cup triumph last year has significantly boosted their confidence and belief, enabling them to aim for titles anywhere in the world.

India clinched their first ICC trophy by defeating South Africa in the final held in Navi Mumbai in November 2025, a landmark achievement that has strengthened the squad’s mindset ahead of upcoming global tournaments.

Speaking on the sidelines of a ceremony where a stadium stand was named in her honour at the Omaxe Stadium in Dwarka, Harmanpreet said winning a major title was crucial not just for recognition, but also to validate years of hard work put in by generations of women cricketers.

She acknowledged the efforts of past players, noting that many had made personal sacrifices, often funding their own journeys, and emphasised that the World Cup win has finally brought the team the recognition it deserved from fans and the media.

Looking ahead to the Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled in the United Kingdom from June 12 to July 5, Harmanpreet expressed confidence in her team’s ability to deliver on the big stage once again. She said the previous triumph has instilled a strong belief within the squad that they can succeed in any conditions, anywhere in the world.

Reflecting on India’s recent tour of Australia, which featured a multi-format series including T20Is, ODIs and a one-off pink-ball Test, Harmanpreet described it as a valuable learning experience despite the team losing the series on points.

She noted that playing different formats in quick succession posed unique challenges, requiring players to quickly adapt their approach and mindset. According to her, such series offer a rare and demanding experience, as players are more accustomed to competing in a single format during tours.

India began the series strongly by winning the T20 leg 2-1, but struggled in the ODI segment, losing 0-3, and also fell short in the solitary Test match.

Harmanpreet also described the honour of having a stadium stand named after her as an emotional and proud moment in her career.