Harmanpreet Kaur, captain of the Indian women's cricket team, bent down and touched the feet of head coach Amol Muzumdar after India won their first ICC Women's Cricket World Cup. Amol Muzumdar, too, was overcome by emotion as he hugged the Indian captain.  

The Indian head coach described the victory as a "watershed moment" that will determine the future of Indian cricket. Muzumdar struggled to contain his delight and joy after India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final at the DY Patil Stadium.

“I’m speechless. Absolutely proud. They deserve every bit of this moment. The hard work, the belief — they’ve made every Indian proud. We never let early setbacks define us. We dominated most matches, but just needed to finish better. Once we did that, there was no looking back,” Muzumdar told the official broadcasters.

Muzumdar, who took over the national team in 2023, lauded his players' resilience and unity throughout the competition.

India's victory was the result of a comprehensive team effort, spearheaded by 21-year-old Shafali Verma, whose all-round brilliance — 87 runs with the bat and two key wickets — set the tone for the night.

“One word for Shafali — magical. Semi-final, final, packed stadium, all the pressure — she turns up every time. Runs, wickets, catches — she did everything. I couldn’t be prouder,” he added.

Muzumdar credited India’s renewed focus on fitness and fielding, a key part of his vision as coach.

“That was something we talked about a lot in the dressing room. The energy in the field today showed how much they’ve grown. I couldn’t have asked for more. It’s a watershed moment. The ripple effects will be felt for generations,” Muzumdar signed off.