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‘Will take those 45 sleepless nights for this moment’ – Smriti Mandhana after India Women win maiden World Cup

by · Inside Sport India

India had lost the 2017 Women's ODI World Cup from a commanding position and then the 2020 Women's T20 World Cup.

India’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana was speechless after India won their maiden Women’s World Cup. After suffering heartbreaks, losing their last 2 ICC finals, India finally got over the hump and lifted the cup in front of the home audience.

Mandhana can’t react to being World Champion

As expected, there were tears. From both sides. India were elated and South Africa were disappointed. After celebrating with India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Mandhana was asked how it felt to be world champions. The opener was lost for words as she tried to gather herself. “I don’t know how to react to being World Champions! I’m unable to process it!” Mandhana said after the match.

She added that there were multiple sleepless nights after those heartbreaking losses, England in 2017 and Australia in 2020. But Mandhana stated that after winning the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, all that pain was worth this moment.

“Every World Cup we’ve gone into, there have been so many heartbreaks for all of us. But we always believed that we had a bigger responsibility – not just to win, but to keep growing women’s cricket. And honestly, just look at the support we’ve had over the last month and a half. It’s been incredible. To finally lift the World Cup today – I’ll take those 45 sleepless nights any day for this moment. That last World Cup was definitely tough for all of us to take. But after that, we had a clear focus – to get fitter, stronger, and better in every area,” she added.

“And honestly, what’s special about this team – and no one really talks about it – is how much we stuck together. Everyone supported each other, through good days and bad. We genuinely celebrated each other’s success. The team environment this time… it was just so positive, so connected. That’s been the biggest difference, I think,” Mandhana concluded.