From 1983 to 2025: Kapil Dev hails India women’s team as ‘better’ than his World Cup-winning side

India and South Africa beat Australia and England in their respective ICC Women's ODI World Cup semi-finals.

When Kapil Dev lifted the 1983 World Cup at Lord’s, Indian cricket changed forever. That moment, a band of underdogs toppling the mighty West Indies, was the start of India’s transformation from a cricketing participant to a cricketing powerhouse. The images of Kapil holding the trophy aloft in London became folklore, inspiring the aspiring cricketers for decades. A certain Sachin Tendulkar was also inspired and instilled a dream in him to lift a World Cup as one (which he did finally in 2011).

Four decades later, as Harmanpreet Kaur and her team prepare for the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup final against South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium, that same sense of destiny seems to hover again. But if you ask Kapil Dev, there’s no need to draw parallels. Because, as he says, this Indian team might just be better.

Kapil Dev: ‘The women’s team is superior’

In a heartfelt message on Star Sports, Kapil Dev poured admiration on the current women’s side, saying their brand of cricket had elevated the sport’s standard. ‘The Indian women’s cricket team has played exceptionally well against Australia,” he said. “Many people compare them to the 1983 team. However, I believe such comparisons are unnecessary. The women’s team is superior and plays with great intelligence.’

The 66-year-old legend praised Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership and the team’s composure under pressure. ‘Their style of cricket has elevated the game’s standard. The captain and the rest of the team are playing at a different level. I hope the upcoming final will be even better,” he said.

Kapil, who knows a thing or two about carrying a nation’s expectations, urged everyone to appreciate the quality of cricket being played instead of focusing solely on the result. ‘I understand that to some extent you want victory, but the kind of cricket they play should be discussed more,’ he said. ‘Winning would bring more happiness. However, playing good cricket, as they have been doing, is also highly valued.’ Kapil doesn’t see the women’s success as an echo of 1983 but as its own revolution, perhaps even a bigger one.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s India have only one dream!

Sunday’s final at the DY Patil Stadium could see Harmanpreet Kaur and her player script the biggest chapter in the history of Indian women’s cricket. Both India and South Africa are eyeing their first Women’s ODI World Cup title, with the winner set to join Australia, England, and New Zealand as champions.

India, playing their third final after heartbreaks in 2005 and 2017, have arrived here after a stirring semi-final win over Australia, driven by Harmanpreet’s 89 and Jemimah Rodrigues’ masterful century. India thrashed the heavy favourites, Australia and now are ready to thrill the hearts of billions of Indians.