From grit to glory: Behind the scenes of India’s historic World Cup win

Harmanpreet Kaur was desperate to win the Women’s World Cup this time. But the India skipper was even more determined not to lose it by a small margin, having suffered a similar fate in the past.

After the heartbreak of 2017, she was looking to break the jinx — so much so that she called all her teammates hours before the title clash against South Africa and implored them to give their best in the ultimate game of the tournament, said all-rounder Amanjot Kaur.

Speaking at the mixed zone after India’s maiden World Cup triumph, Amanjot said, “It had been more difficult for her because the highs and lows that she has seen are something that we have not. To lose by small margins is not good, and she had said that this time she does not want to lose out by a small margin — everyone will have to go all out. We were just counting the wickets and not keeping an eye on what the score was.”

From hitting the winning runs against Australia in the semi-final to taking the catch of in-form South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt in the title clash, Amanjot played her part in India’s winning campaign.

In the summit clash, Wolvaardt — looking to up the ante after crossing her hundred — hit one high in the air towards deep mid-wicket. Amanjot fumbled thrice, but managed to hold on to the ball one-handed, giving India the most decisive wicket of the game off Deepti Sharma’s bowling.

“My God, it was the toughest catch of my life. I have never fumbled before — either I have taken them or dropped them. There has been nothing in between. But for the first time God gave me three chances,” she told the media after the match.

“It was a crucial catch and we knew she would attack after completing her century and charging from one end,” she said.

Amanjot had kept her injury hidden from her family before the World Cup and went to the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for recovery.

“I haven’t spoken at home yet. All I know is that they burst some crackers and my grandparents are asleep,” she said.

“In the morning, my aunt told me to just swing without even looking at the ball. My family don’t understand cricket much. For them, if the ball hits the bat, it’s a four. If not, you’re out. And if you’re stuck LBW, then why are you even carrying a bat?”

Amanjot also praised Deepti for her massive impact on India’s campaign — the senior all-rounder scored 58 in the final and took a five-wicket haul.

“Whenever she plays, some record or other gets broken. Deepti is like the glue that holds our team together — whether it’s bowling, batting or fielding,” she said.

Meanwhile, spinner Radha Yadav said the DY Patil Stadium has been lucky for the Indian team. “DY Patil has always been lucky for us. Coming here, we always produce something magical, and everyone in the team, including the players and staff have to come together for it,” she said.

India pacer Renuka Singh Thakur said it didn’t matter if she was overlooked in the initial matches of a triumphant World Cup campaign. “It doesn’t matter if you are in or out; all that matters is what the team needs at that point. There was a different combination at that time,” she said.

Star of the win over mighty Australia women's cricket team in the semi‑final, Jemimah Rodrigues said she was pleased with India managing to get over the line in that match. “That knock (127 not out) was really, really special. Not because I got a hundred but we defeated Australia,” she said.

“We have always come in close situations and moments and given it away but this Indian team changed that and I loved it for that reason — we defeated them and today we are world champions.

“We spoke about how we give our lives for every single ball,” Rodrigues said, talking about the final.