Moga cheers as 'queen of cricket' Harmanpreet makes it from village grounds to world stage

Jubilant scenes erupted across Moga as hometown hero Harmanpreet Kaur, the trailblasing captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team, led India to its first-ever Women’s Cricket World Cup victory.

It was a moment of pure pride — a spectacular display of grit, skill and leadership that has etched Harmanpreet’s name in the golden annals of Indian sports.

Waving the Tricolour, bursting crackers, and chanting her name, many cricket lovers reached the ground of Guru Nanak College in Moga where Harmanpreet Kaur started playing cricket in her childhood.

For Moga — a quiet town in Punjab now shining on the world map — this triumph is not just a sporting achievement, but a celebration of belief, perseverance and women’s empowerment, according to Anjali Gupta, a cricket fan and childhood friend of Harmanpreet.

“Harman has made history. This is a glorious day not just for Indian cricket, but for Moga,” said Gowardhan Sharma, an avid cricket lover and close friend of Harmander Singh, Harmanpreet’s father.

“We’ve seen her grow up playing in the dusty fields here. Today, she’s shown the world what true determination looks like.”

Locals recalled how Harmanpreet’s early cricket journey began on Moga’s modest grounds, often playing with boys and traveling miles for coaching. Despite limited infrastructure, her relentless passion and her family’s unwavering support kept her dream alive.

Her alma mater and local cricket academies are planning felicitation events, while social media is flooded with congratulatory posts celebrating the “Queen of Indian Cricket.”

For a generation of young girls watching the triumph, Harmanpreet’s victory is more than a cup — it’s an inspiration. It proves that even from small towns like Moga, world champions can rise, armed only with courage, conviction, and an unyielding love for the game, said Akashdeep Singh, a cricket player in Moga.