Navi Mumbai, Nov 1 (NationPress) Captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her enthusiasm on Saturday about India facing South Africa in the final of the ICC Women's ODI World Cup, stating that this matchup is beneficial for the sport as it disrupts the longstanding dominance of Australia and England, who collectively hold 11 titles and have always been present in the finals.

Since the tournament's inception in 1973, Australia has clinched the championship seven times while England has done so four times. New Zealand stands as the only other nation to have won the title, with the upcoming 2025 edition promising a first-time champion.

"It's refreshing to witness two different teams competing. For years, Australia has been a dominant force in world cricket, alongside England. Seeing this new matchup brings excitement, and reaching the finals is particularly special for us," stated Harmanpreet Kaur during the pre-match conference.

The 36-year-old all-rounder noted the high demand for tickets to the final, which she believes is a positive sign for cricket.

"It's significant for us and our fans, who have always been our strongest supporters. The buzz around ticket sales indicates that there's a lot of interest. While there are minor pressures associated with such events, it's encouraging to see cricket generating this level of excitement," she added.

Harmanpreet acknowledged that their advancement to the finals will greatly influence women's cricket in India, similar to the impact seen after the 2017 final.

"Following our finals appearance in 2017, we witnessed substantial growth in women's cricket in India. More girls began participating in the sport. I am confident that winning this final will lead to even greater advancements, enhancing both international and domestic cricket levels. We eagerly anticipate this moment when women's cricket receives the attention and seriousness it deserves," she remarked.

The captain shared that the past eight years since India's last final appearance have transformed players' approaches and mindsets, which she believes will be advantageous in the upcoming match.

"Despite facing challenges and setbacks, we have prepared ourselves over the last two years for various scenarios. We've focused on strategies to manage pressure effectively. Now, it’s about aligning our efforts to help the team succeed," said the seasoned cricketer from Punjab.

She emphasized that the team remained undeterred despite three significant losses during the group stage.

"Even after those defeats, our team remained unified, encouraging one another and recognizing that we still had a fantastic opportunity to reach the finals. Maintaining a positive mindset played a crucial role in our journey. Everyone was committed to performing well for the country and aspiring to win the World Cup. We discussed our improvements while keeping our focus on a shared goal," she elaborated.

Harmanpreet stated that they have gleaned important insights from their earlier defeat against South Africa in Visakhapatnam and are prepared for a different outcome on Sunday.

"Their performance has been commendable, even after a shaky start. Their comeback in this tournament has been impressive. They possess a balanced team with strong bowling and depth in batting. However, our team also has many strengths. Tomorrow’s match promises to be thrilling, and we are mentally and physically ready to give our best," concluded the captain.