{"id":22608,"date":"2025-11-02T03:28:17","date_gmt":"2025-11-02T03:28:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/02\/not-just-a-final-a-chance-to-rewrite-history-india-women-chase-their-dangal-moment-cricket-news\/"},"modified":"2025-11-02T03:28:17","modified_gmt":"2025-11-02T03:28:17","slug":"not-just-a-final-a-chance-to-rewrite-history-india-women-chase-their-dangal-moment-cricket-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/02\/not-just-a-final-a-chance-to-rewrite-history-india-women-chase-their-dangal-moment-cricket-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Not Just A Final, A Chance To Rewrite History: India Women Chase Their Dangal Moment | Cricket News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Last Updated:<\/span>

India have a shot at making history as they hope to win a maiden ICC title when they square off against an equally matched opponent in South Africa.<\/h2>\n
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\"Time<\/p>\n

Time to create history. (PTI Photo)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cAgar silver jeeti toh aaj nahi toh kal log tanne bhool javenge; gold jeeti toh misaal ban javegi; aur misaalein di jaati hai beta, bhooli nahi jaati.”<\/em><\/p>\n

(If you win silver, people will forget you tomorrow. If you win gold, you will become a role model \u2013 and role models are remembered, not forgotten.)<\/p>\n

So said Aamir Khan, portraying Mahavir Singh Phogat in the 2016 Bollywood film Dangal, to his elder daughter Geeta before her gold medal match at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. It was Geeta\u2019s chance to etch her name in history as the first Indian woman to win a wrestling gold at the CWG.<\/p>\n

A similar situation awaits the Indian women\u2019s cricket team, which on Sunday (November 2) in Navi Mumbai, will have the chance to create history by winning their maiden ICC title.<\/p>\n

India have reached the Women\u2019s ODI World Cup final twice before, only to finish runners-up both times. Now, Harmanpreet Kaur\u2019s side has a chance to end India\u2019s long wait when they face Laura Wolvaardt\u2019s South Africa at DY Patil Stadium on Sunday.<\/p>\n

In 1983, when Kapil Dev\u2019s team defeated the mighty West Indies at Lord\u2019s, it changed the course of Indian cricket. A victory on Sunday \u2013 against South Africa and in front of home fans \u2013 could do the same for women\u2019s cricket.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s a task easier said than done.<\/p>\n

India\u2019s spirits are high after chasing down a record 339-run target against Australia in the semi-final on October 30. Like Australia, South Africa present a formidable challenge. The Africans have already beaten India once in this tournament, and like India, they\u2019ve reached the final after a convincing win over a former world champion in England.<\/p>\n

While many believe that in this \u201cyear of firsts” the title belongs to India, it\u2019s worth remembering that South Africa are also chasing their first-ever ICC trophy in women\u2019s cricket. In fact, this is the first time any South African team \u2013 men\u2019s or women\u2019s \u2013 has reached a 50-over World Cup final.<\/p>\n

On paper and on the field, little separates the two sides. The Indian players know they must set aside the euphoria of the semi-final and prepare for the final test.<\/p>\n

What men couldn\u2019t, can women?<\/p>\n

Playing in a World Cup is the pinnacle of any sportsperson\u2019s career. Doing so in front of home fans is even more special. And playing the final at home? That\u2019s a once-in-a-lifetime moment.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no better feeling than winning the biggest prize on home soil \u2013 but equally, no greater heartbreak than losing it there.<\/p>\n

The India men\u2019s team experienced that pain in 2023, when they fell to Australia in the ODI World Cup final. Harmanpreet\u2019s army would be aware of that.<\/p>\n

Smriti\u2019s Moment<\/p>\n

Smriti Mandhana is arguably one of the greatest women\u2019s cricketers of all time. The elegant left-hander tops the ODI rankings, leads India\u2019s run charts in this tournament, and is the only batter to score over 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year in women\u2019s cricket. Yet, she\u2019s often criticised for underperforming in ICC knockout games.<\/p>\n

In six ICC knockouts, Smriti\u2019s scores read: 6, 0, 34, 11, 2, and 24 \u2013 a total of just 77 runs in six innings. Those numbers hardly reflect her class. Sunday gives her the perfect opportunity to silence critics and exorcise those demons.<\/p>\n

Everyone who follows Indian cricket knows: if India are to lift the trophy, Smriti must fire.<\/p>\n

What about Harman and Jemimah?<\/p>\n

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues are the reason India are in the final. Their brilliant knocks of 89 and 127 against Australia, along with their 167-run stand for the third wicket, paved India\u2019s path to the title clash.<\/p>\n

But can they repeat that performance? There\u2019s no doubt over it. Expectations will be sky-high.<\/p>\n

However, in team sports, individuals can win matches \u2013 but only teams win titles. That\u2019s what India must remember.<\/p>\n

What South Africa Bring to the Table<\/p>\n

South Africa\u2019s journey has been somewhat similar to that of India\u2019s. They began disastrously, bowled out for just 69 against England in their opener on October 3, but bounced back strongly, winning their next five games to reach the semi-final.<\/p>\n

In the semis, they avenged their earlier defeat to England with a dominant 125-run victory.<\/p>\n

This South African women\u2019s team has already achieved what their men\u2019s side never has \u2013 reaching an ODI World Cup final. Now, they have a chance to become the first African team ever to win a one-day World Cup.<\/p>\n

And there\u2019s no reason to think they can\u2019t.<\/p>\n

They have Laura Wolvaardt, arguably the greatest female player in their history and the tournament\u2019s leading run-scorer. Add Marizanne Kapp, the all-time highest wicket-taker in Women\u2019s ODI World Cups and a dependable middle-order batter; Sune Luus, the experienced former captain; Tazmin Brits, unpredictable yet impactful; and the all-round strength of Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk \u2013 and you have a team capable of anything.<\/p>\n

Whatever the result, Sunday\u2019s clash promises to be a final for the ages.<\/p>\n

First Published:<\/span><\/p>\n
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November 02, 2025, 08:55 IST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

News<\/a> cricket<\/a> Not Just A Final, A Chance To Rewrite History: India Women Chase Their Dangal Moment<\/span><\/div>\n
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