Some triumphs become turning points; others become touchstones of belief.
For Balwinder Sandhu, one of the heroes of India’s 1983 World Cup win, watching Harmanpreet Kaur lift the Women’s World Cup 2025 trophy at DY Patil Stadium was not just a celebration – it was a reflection of a moment that once changed Indian cricket forever.
“Harmanpreet Kaur is the Kapil Dev of Indian cricket,” Sandhu told Olympics.com, his tone filled with pride and nostalgia. “What Kapil paaji did for us in 1983, Harman has done for her team today. She leads with heart, humility, and conviction – qualities that inspire every player around her.”
Sandhu, the man who dismissed Gordon Greenidge with a delivery that became part of cricketing folklore, recalls how the odds were stacked against his team four decades ago.
“We weren’t the favourites back then, and neither were they,” Sandhu said. “We had lost two games early in the tournament before Kapil’s 175 against Zimbabwe turned everything around. The women faced the same uphill battle after defeats to Australia and South Africa. But both teams found their way back because their captains believed.”
He draws a clear line between the two eras – different times, same spirit. “You could see it in her eyes,” Sandhu said. “That calmness before a storm, the assurance that no matter the situation, the leader would hold the team together. That’s what Kapil did for us. That’s what Harmanpreet has done for them.”
But Sandhu’s admiration extends beyond the captain. He speaks with deep respect for Amol Muzumdar, the man behind India’s women’s team’s revival.
“Amol’s story is one of patience and perseverance,” Sandhu said. “He didn’t get to play for India, but he never stopped serving Indian cricket. His destiny was to guide, to mentor – and he has done that with remarkable composure. He was a fine batsman, but he’s proved to be an even better coach.”
Balwinder Sandhu remembers Muzumdar from his Mumbai days – consistent, disciplined, and quietly determined. “Had he batted higher in the order, his playing career might have been different,” Sandhu reflected. “But perhaps this was how it was meant to be, for him to help others find success where he was denied. That takes character.”
As the floodlights glowed over DY Patil Stadium, Sandhu said the emotions were unmistakable. “It felt like Lord’s all over again,” he smiled. “The faces were new, the colours brighter, but the feeling – that same pride of watching India rise, was identical. This isn’t about men’s or women’s cricket anymore. It’s about Indian cricket.”
He paused, his voice softening with memory. “In 1983, only a few of us carried small keepsakes from Lord’s,” he said. “But today, every Indian carries a piece of DY Patil in their heart. The women have turned it into our new Lord’s — a field of dreams.”
As he signed off, Sandhu summed it up best: “Hat’s off to Harmanpreet and her girls. They’ve written their own golden chapter. What began with Kapil in 1983 has found its echo in Harman in 2025. Two captains, two eras – one enduring Indian spirit.
