Getting past Australia in the semi-final made the country take notice; but nothing captures the imagination of India’s millions like a World Cup victory

Sruthi Ravindranath01-Nov-20251:50

Chopra: India winning will change the landscape of the game

On June 25, 1983, men’s cricket in India changed forever. Kapil Dev leading India to victory in the World Cup final at Lord’s was the catalyst that began to transform a sport into a national obsession and multi-billion-dollar industry.On November 2, 2025, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team has the opportunity to change women’s cricket in India forever. To fan the flame lit on Thursday night into an incandescent beacon that could inspire generations.When Amanjot Kaur, in the company of Jemimah Rodrigues, cut Sophie Molineux through backward point to take India to a historic victory in the semi-final against Australia, the result was more than an upset. It was the start of something huge.Like Clive Lloyd’s West Indies were in the men’s game at the time, Australia have been the unstoppable force in women’s cricket. India, meanwhile, have been the nearly team: often brilliant, often brave, but always one step short of achieving glory.Related

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The World Cup final against South Africa on Sunday feels seismic because it comes at a time when women’s cricket in India is already undergoing a transformation from within. National players receive the same match fees as their male counterparts; the WPL has provided professional pathways to a far greater number of women than ever before; women’s cricket is nowhere near as obscure as it was even five years ago. The win against Australia in front of a crowd of nearly 35,000 in Navi Mumbai, however, made the country sit up and see that something extraordinary had happened.People who already follow women’s cricket in India knew the significance of the result, but the story of that historic chase against the toughest opponents and the emotional celebrations that followed pulled in a whole new world overnight. In this age of virality, those who had never known women’s cricket found themselves receiving and sharing clips of India’s victory. Rodrigues’ iconic hundred took on a life of its own beyond the boundary. Snippets of her drives, fist pumps and teary celebrations flooded social media, made into reels soundtracked by patriotic anthems.In this age of virality, Jemimah Rodrigues’ semi-final exploits created a new world of fans overnight•ICC/Getty ImagesIt was the first time that many would have sampled the intensity, skill and drama of women’s cricket. Now, that curiosity is fuelling anticipation for Sunday. The final is now a national event. On the eve of the match, with a sizeable crowd at the DY Patil Stadium’s ticketing gate, Harmanpreet acknowledged the magnitude of what lay ahead for her team.”When we returned to India after reaching the [World Cup] final in 2017, there were a lot of changes,” she said on Saturday. “Women’s cricket had moved forward, we saw a lot more girls playing. So I’m sure if we win this one we’ll see a lot more changes, like not only at the international level but there will be improvements at the domestic level too. We are really looking forward to that moment that women’s cricket will be taken more seriously and will get more viewership.”For a long time, India’s women cricketers were on the margins, playing in near-empty grounds and staying in budget hotels. Despite women’s cricket having come under the BCCI’s administration in 2006, the players got central contracts only in 2015. Domestic tournaments were still not up to standard and most players juggled jobs in the Railways to fuel their cricketing dreams. International tours were sporadic and often arranged on short notice.The 2017 Women’s World Cup in England changed that. Harmanpreet’s 171 against Australia in the semi-final changed that. For the first time, a women’s match trended nationwide and the final at Lord’s drew millions of Indian viewers. Even though India fell heartbreakingly short against England, the impact of their performance was profound.It led to investments in the game. Central contracts were upgraded, coaching and support staff were professionalised, and travel and training facilities were brought on par with the men’s teams. The WPL was launched in 2023.While all that development will certainly continue, nothing captures the imagination of India’s millions like a World Cup victory.India’s semi-final win against Australia travelled far and wide across the country•Getty ImagesThe 1983 World Cup victory inspired a generation that included a young Sachin Tendulkar. In 2007, another group of Indian men won the inaugural T20 World Cup, and the fervour that followed that result was the catalyst for the launch of the franchise era that reshaped the global game.Across the world, there’s an understanding that India’s rise is central to the growth of the women’s game. Veterans like Alyssa Healy and Sophie Devine have spoken about India’s success elevating the women’s-cricket ecosystem by bringing in larger audiences and greater investment. After Australia’s loss in the semi-final, Healy admitted that having a new ODI champion could only be good for the game’s growth.”I think I’ve heard many people say that this is the closest tournament they’ve ever played in when it comes to ODI World Cups and I tend to agree,” she said. “I think there were genuinely eight teams in finals contention, which I thought was really cool. To see a new winner is going to do wonders for the game. To see how well it’s been supported here in India, first and foremost, I think it’s great for them to be able to have the opportunity to play it at home. In front of home fans, an ODI World Cup final is going to be really special for them.”So I hope it does great things for Indian cricket and likewise for South Africa as well. It’s going to hurt a little bit, but it’s going to be really great to watch and hopefully we see it do great things for the global game and more investment in each of these nations moving forward.”Harmanpreet and her team-mates will approach the final on Sunday like just another game, as professionals do these days, fully aware of what victory could do for women’s cricket in India. It’s the sort of day that could make parents across the country nudge their daughters towards picking up a bat or ball for the first time.

“I want to ensure there are one or two players who can fill my gap when I have left the dressing room”

Mohammad Isam20-Nov-2025Mushfiqur Rahim feels his 20-plus years of experience in international cricket helped prepare him for the expectations, pressure and hype around his 100th Test match. Mushfiqur became the eleventh cricketer to score a century in their 100th Test, particularly important in the way he dragged the team out of trouble on the first morning.Mushfiqur put together two century stands, 107 for the fourth wicket with Mominul Haque and 108 for the fifth wicket with Litton Das, but he had to endure a nervous evening on Wednesday as he was unbeaten on 99 overnight. His on-field performance wasn’t much of a surprise given that he was in good form in Bangladesh’s previous Test series in June. Mushfiqur said that he is still pinching himself for becoming the first cricketer from Bangladesh to reach the 100-Test milestone.”I can’t believe that someone from Bangladesh has played a hundred Tests, so it’s really a huge achievement,” Mushfiqur said. “It is a proud moment for any player. So obviously I am happy that I could be that person. There’s more responsibility on me. I want to give back for as long as I am playing for Bangladesh, and I want to ensure there are one or two players who can fill my gap when I have left the dressing room.”I think 100 is a huge number, so I have learned many things while getting there. I have tried to gather experience and learned how to stay calm. To be honest, I really want to thank the BCB for what they planned on the first morning. It really feels great and I really felt honoured. I think this type of recognition can work as an inspiration for cricketers. It is important for them to dream that they want to play 100 Tests.”Related

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Mushfiqur said that he was eyeing up a big hundred in the first innings, an aspect of his career that has become more frequent in the last five years.”I tried to reach the milestone last evening since these things are not easy. They could have bowled one more over but I understand it is a tactical thing. I think we would have done the same thing if we were the fielding side.”At the same time, I wanted to score a big hundred, rather than just getting to the mark. I tried to motivate myself that I want to score 60 or 70 more runs, not just the one run. I wanted to bat till Litton got to his century. I couldn’t do it, but Miraz batted well after that,” he said.This has been a week of reflections in Bangladesh cricket. Many of Mushfiqur’s former team-mates and coaches have paid tribute to his career. It was also necessary to listen to what Mushfiqur had to say about his milestone, especially given the high value he places on Test cricket.”I told the team huddle on the first day that the team always comes first. Mushfiqur Rahim is because of Bangladesh. I think I am like a drop in the ocean. Bangladesh comes first, and a win in this Test match will be my biggest gift whether I score or not,” he said.Mushfiqur Rahim walks out to bat in his 100th Test•BCB

Mushfiqur, who grew up in the northern town of Bogra before enrolling in BKSP, the country’s biggest sports institute, said that he would dedicate the century in his 100th Test to his grandparents.”I want to dedicate the century to my paternal and maternal grandparents. They were my biggest fans when they were alive. They told me shortly before they died that they want to live a little longer to watch me play. I think very rarely do anyone get such grandparents. Their blessings have brought me this far.”Mushfiqur said that he is looking forward to Bangladesh’s next Test assignment: the two-match series against Pakistan at home in April, but didn’t reveal too much about his long-term future.”I think there’s a four-month break, after which we will play against Pakistan. Nothing more than that. I know I have to keep improving. I want to play as long as the team and team management wants me to play, and I know if the team wants me to continue, I will continue to play.”

Tottenham Hotspur will feel hard done by after salvaging a draw against Newcastle United on Tuesday evening, having come unstuck after Anthony Gordon dispatched a controversially won penalty for the home side.

There’s a case to be made that Rodrigo Bentancur had infringed play in the box, but the tussle was waged between two players – one of whom was the 6 foot 7 Dan Burn – and there’s also a case to be made that Bentancur was pulled to the floor by the Newcastle defender.

Even as Cristian Romero’s brace rescued his side, Thomas Frank will know the pressure valve has not been released, and he still has much to prove if he is to cement his managerial berth in north London.

Frank's struggles at the Spurs helm

Tottenham have been something of a mixed bag in the Premier League this season. Their home performance woes have spilt from last year into the current term, with the defeat to Fulham meaning three have been lost on the bounce in the top flight.

Tactically, Tottenham are not creating enough. James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are sidelined, have been since the summer, but this is no excuse for the stunted playmaking quality that has been on show. Spurs’ players are not maximising their own skillsets.

Frank is a more pragmatic manager than Ange Postecoglou before him, but his Brentford side still produced clinical and concise attacking play.

Man City

2nd

26.7

Chelsea

4th

24.0

Arsenal

1st

23.5

Crystal Palace

5th

22.7

Liverpool

8th

22.2

(18) Tottenham

11th

12.6

Now, much has been left to be desired in his Lilywhites team, and ENIC Group could be forced into cutting off their new manager and replacing him with a summer target.

Indeed, Daniel Levy (remember him?) interviewed Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, as per TalkSPORT, who confirm that he has his sights set on a move up the ladder, albeit with a preference to see out the season.

Given the depth of Tottenham’s interest, this could be a deal revisited. And anyway, it’s not like the Spanish tactician has done anything to deter suitors this year.

Why Iraola is a better stylistic fit

Iraola is a young manager, but he has taken to the Premier League with ease, inculcating his aggressive, attack-focused football at the Vitality Stadium and recording Bournemouth’s highest-ever points total (56) last year.

He has transformed Bournemouth from a band of hard-batting, relegation-contending troops to an easy-on-the-eye attacking force, so intense and energetic. The fact he boasts a superior points-per-game record to Frank in the Premier League only adds fuel to the argument.

It’s a style of football that feels tailor-made for a club like Spurs. To dare is to do, after all, and one of the biggest criticisms of Frank’s tactics has been a pragmatism and lack of creative ambition.

The Spaniard has even been generously named “the best coach in the Premier League” by journalist James Horncastle for his impact on the south coast, and though the Cherries are struggling for form right now, with four losses from five outings, there’s little question that he has laid out his credentials at the top.

Talented players like Xavi Simons are struggling. Tottenham are in a rut. Could Iraola provide the solution? His ability to adapt – evidenced after a summer exodus – could also play favourably into a north London outfit who have undergone a fair amount of chopping and changing in recent years.

It is not yet time for ENIC chiefs to push for a managerial change, but Frank will know that he will soon be on borrowed time if unable to prove that his tactical vision is slowly taking root at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Should push come to shove, Iraola may well prove the perfect replacement, his self-defined “rock and roll” brand of football aligning with Spurs’ free-flowing identity.

The new Son: Spurs prepared to pay £65m to sign "world-class" talent

Tottenham Hotspur could be about to fork out a hefty sum to land a new attacker for Thomas Frank.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 3, 2025

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