Women's World Cup 2025: Harmanpreet Kaur reveals reason behind pocketing match ball in conversation with PM Narendra Modi

Harmanpreet Kaur has revealed the reason behind keeping the match ball with her after India secured a 52-run win against South Africa in the final of the Women's World Cup on November 2. The winning moment came when Harmanpreet safely pouched a running catch at extra cover off Deepti Sharma’s bowling.

The Indian skipper noted that she felt as if it was her destiny to be involved in the title-winning wicket, which was why she did not return the ball to the umpires after completing the catch.

“This was also God's plan, sir. It was only all of a sudden. I didn’t know the last catch would come to me. After all these years of hard work, when it did, I just felt it should stay with me,” stated a smiling Harmanpreet, as quoted by India Today.

Check out the moment when India picked up South Africa's final wicket:

India claimed victory by securing Nadine de Klerk's (18 off 19) wicket, which also Deepti's fifth of the match. The spin-bowling all-rounder ended with stellar figure of 5/39 in 9.3 overs). 

Deepti was adjudged as the Player of the Tournament for her 215 runs and 22 wickets. On the other hand, Shafali Verma, who came in as an injury replacement for Pratika Rawal, bagged the Player of the Match award for her 87 off 78 followed by 2/36 in seven overs.

The Women in Blue will next be involved in an all-format assignment in Australia. The series, scheduled to commence on February 15, will involve three T20Is, three ODIs and one Test. The series will conclude on Friday, March 6.