"Cricket will never be the same again" - Aakash Chopra on India winning Women's World Cup 2025

Former India player Aakash Chopra has lauded the Women in Blue for winning the Women's World Cup 2025. He noted that the Indian women's team's maiden triumph in a global event would transform the game of cricket.

India beat South Africa by 52 runs in the Women's World Cup 2025 final in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, November 2. The co-hosts set the Proteas women a 299-run target after being asked to bat first and bowled the first-time finalists out for 246.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener opined that Harmanpreet Kaur and company's triumph would be a game-changing moment for cricket.

"Harmanpreet Kaur's girls have scripted a new story. The girls shone. We have become the world champions and created history. The names of every player in this team will be written in golden letters. They have done a job like that. They are our pride," Chopra said (0:01). "We have got a new winner after 25 years, and that champion is India. This moment is ours, this century is ours. November 2, 2025 - remember this moment, because cricket will never be the same again," he added.

India had finished as the runners-up in the Women's World Cup twice previously. They lost to Australia by 98 runs in the final of the 2005 edition and suffered a nine-run defeat in the summit clash against England eight years ago.

---

"Until you win, you are unable to feel the win, and are unable to understand the gravity of that moment" - Aakash Chopra on India's Women's World Cup 2025 triumph

Harmanpreet Kaur took the final catch to seal India's win in the Women's World Cup 2025 final. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that the enormity of India's Women's World Cup 2025 triumph would have been realized only after the win was sealed.

"The confidence was there. There was no doubt that we were going to win the game, but until you win, you are unable to feel the win, and are unable to understand the gravity of that moment. When Harmanpreet Kaur held that catch, that catch won everyone's hearts," he said (1:00).

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that young fans would now want to emulate the likes of Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana.

"We have realized once again that we are the center and everything of the universe at this point in time. The girls have made us feel extremely proud. This is that watershed event where everyone who watched will want to become the next Jemi, Harman or Smriti. Women's cricket was getting better continuously, but they were waiting for that one moment, a spark that turns into a fire. This was that spark that was needed," Chopra observed.

Aakash Chopra noted that India's Women's World Cup 2025 win would be similar to the men's team's triumph in the 1983 World Cup. He highlighted that the Kapil Dev-led side's win in the third edition of the ODI World Cup changed Indian cricket and inspired youngsters like him to take up the game seriously.

Looking for fast live cricket scores? Download CricRocket and get fast score updates, top-notch commentary in-depth match stats & much more! 🚀☄️

Edited by Kartik Iyer