Harmanpreet reveals Muzumdar's 'buy a mirror' message behind India's WC title run
Synopsis
After three straight losses at the Women's World Cup 2025 left India on the verge of elimination, coach Amol Muzumdar delivered a rare, sharp dressing-room rebuke — 'Go and buy a mirror' — that Harmanpreet Kaur says was the catalyst for a stunning turnaround: wins over New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa to claim the title.
Key Takeaways
Harmanpreet Kaur revealed coach Amol Muzumdar's blunt 'buy a mirror' speech after India's third consecutive defeat at the Women's World Cup 2025 .
The loss to England left India on the brink of an early exit before the team rallied with a win over New Zealand .
India went on to defeat Australia in the semifinal and South Africa in the final to clinch the Women's World Cup title .
Harmanpreet said she deliberately avoids social media during tournaments to stay mentally fresh.
India are currently playing a three-match T20I series against England as preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026 .
Indian women's cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur has disclosed the blunt, unvarnished dressing-room speech delivered by head coach Amol Muzumdar following the team's third consecutive defeat at the Women's World Cup 2025 — a moment she credits as the turning point in India's journey to lifting the title.
The Dressing-Room Moment That Changed Everything
Speaking on JioStar, Harmanpreet recalled the charged atmosphere after India's loss to England, a defeat that followed back-to-back setbacks and left the side on the brink of an early tournament exit. It was in that moment that Muzumdar, known for his composed demeanour, raised his voice for what Harmanpreet described as the first time.
'After the England match, I think Amol sir was the only one who spoke, and he was very straightforward. Everybody took it in the right spirit because we all knew there was nothing wrong in what he was saying. That was the first time I saw his volume go a little high because he is usually a very soft-spoken person. I remember him saying, 'Go and buy a mirror and see what you're doing and what you need to do at that stage,'' Harmanpreet said.
From the Brink to the Trophy
India had opened their Women's World Cup 2025 campaign with two wins before a turbulent middle phase saw them suffer three losses in a row. The defeat to England proved to be the nadir. Rather than capitulating, the squad responded with a crucial victory over New Zealand to keep their campaign alive.
The revival gathered momentum through the knockout rounds. India produced a stunning upset against Australia in the semifinal before defeating South Africa in the final to claim the Women's World Cup title — a comeback that has since been widely regarded as one of the most dramatic in the tournament's recent history.
Harmanpreet on Blocking Out the Noise
The captain also spoke candidly about her deliberate decision to stay off social media during major tournaments, describing it as essential to her mental wellbeing and on-field focus.
'I don't use social media much because I think it can drain you mentally. So, I don't read stuff, especially during tournaments, whether I'm doing well or not,' she said. She added that she occasionally reviews social media content after a tournament concludes, but draws a firm line during competition: 'If I'm doing well, I know I'm doing well, and if I'm not doing well, I don't need to read what others are thinking or take advice from everyone.'
What's Next for India Women
Harmanpreet and the Indian squad are currently engaged in a three-match T20I series against England, with the fixtures serving as important preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. The series offers the side an early opportunity to build on the confidence generated by their World Cup triumph.
Point of View
By Harmanpreet's account, accepted the rebuke without defensiveness — a sign of a dressing-room culture that had matured under pressure. The harder question is whether that culture can be sustained across formats, because India's T20 record against the same England side they face now will test whether the World Cup transformation was a peak or a baseline.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did coach Amol Muzumdar say after India's defeat to England at the Women's World Cup 2025?
Muzumdar told the team to 'go and buy a mirror and see what you're doing and what you need to do at that stage,' according to captain Harmanpreet Kaur. It was described as unusually direct for the typically soft-spoken coach, and the squad took the message positively as a necessary reality check.
How did India recover after three consecutive losses at the Women's World Cup 2025?
India bounced back with a crucial win over New Zealand to stay in the tournament, then defeated Australia in the semifinal and South Africa in the final to lift the Women's World Cup 2025 title. The turnaround is widely regarded as one of the most dramatic in recent tournament history.
Why does Harmanpreet Kaur avoid social media during tournaments?
Harmanpreet says social media can be mentally draining and she prefers not to read external opinions — positive or negative — while competing. She occasionally reviews content after a tournament ends but believes staying off platforms during competition keeps her focused and mentally fresh.
Where did Harmanpreet Kaur make these revelations?
Harmanpreet spoke about Muzumdar's dressing-room message and her social media habits in an interview on JioStar.
What is India women's cricket team doing after the World Cup win?
India are currently playing a three-match T20I series against England, which the team is using as preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026.
