New Delhi, Sep 27 (NationPress) As she stands on the verge of a pivotal month in her career, India's captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed that this is the team's opportunity to carve out history by leading India to its first-ever championship victory in senior women’s cricket during the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, hosted in their homeland.

After a disappointing performance in the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand, where the team did not advance past the group stage, India is eager to redeem itself. The tournament kicks off with India facing co-hosts Sri Lanka on September 30 in Guwahati.

“Frequently, I’m asked about the significance of this World Cup for me and the Indian cricket team. My response is clear: it’s an opportunity to create history. This is a home World Cup for us, and we aim to make it memorable for all our fans who have supported us throughout our journey,” Harmanpreet stated.

“Leading the Indian team in a home World Cup is a tremendous honor, and we are determined to make this tournament unforgettable as we strive for the Trophy,” she noted in her column for ICC on Saturday.

With a strong performance record—winning 10 out of their 14 ODIs this year—India enters the tournament with a rare sense of readiness and balance.

“The journey leading up to this World Cup has been enriching, allowing us to learn, unlearn, and enhance our skills as a team. It has not only strengthened our bond but has also reignited our determination to secure an ICC Trophy,” she added.

“While we continue to chase the elusive ICC Trophy, this Indian team has been on an upward trajectory, and this time we are focused on breaking barriers and winning the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.”

“The competition is always fierce, but we have full confidence in our skills, preparations, and resilience to tackle any challenges ahead. Recent results, both at home and abroad, have been promising, and we are eager to build on that momentum as the World Cup approaches,” she remarked.

“Our preparations have been well-structured with training camps in Vizag and at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru. These camps have been incredibly beneficial, allowing us to fine-tune our strategies just before the World Cup,” she elaborated.

India has come agonizingly close to winning the trophy twice—in 2005 in South Africa and again in 2017 in England. With the 2025 edition set to unfold on home soil, Harmanpreet and her team are resolute about taking that additional step to finally etch their names in history.

“Our World Cup squad features a healthy mix of youth and experience across all departments. We have an abundance of batting talent with players like Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal, Richa Ghosh, and Uma Chetry.”

“The bowling lineup is equally formidable, with Renuka Singh Thakur and Arundhati Reddy joining promising young talents like Kranti Gaud, N. Sree Charani, and Radha Yadav. Additionally, we have three all-rounders: Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, and Amanjot Kaur, who can turn the tide in India’s favor,” she explained.

“Our support staff has been instrumental in fostering a positive atmosphere within the group, which I believe will propel us towards that elusive ICC title. We have always appreciated the support from our fans, and we trust they will be cheering for us this time too,” she mentioned.

“Their encouraging energy has been key to our achievements, and it will be even more critical during this home World Cup. With a well-rounded squad, focused preparations, and a team eager to succeed, we are stepping into the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 with optimism and conviction. This Indian team is ready to excel in challenging conditions and is prepared to write a remarkable chapter in Indian cricket history,” Harmanpreet concluded.