Guru-Shishya bond: Harmanpreet Kaur bows to coach Amol Muzumdar after World Cup triumph

Minutes after leading India to their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup triumph in Navi Mumbai, captain Harmanpreet Kaur walked up to head coach Amol Muzumdar and touched his feet — a heartfelt gesture of respect that perfectly captured the essence of their guru-shishya bond.

It was a symbolic moment that came moments after Harmanpreet took the final catch of Nadine de Klerk, sealing South Africa’s innings at 246 while chasing 299. The victory ended India’s decades-long wait for a Women’s World Cup crown, placing Harmanpreet alongside Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni as the only Indian captains to lift an ODI World Cup trophy.

India’s triumph was a result of teamwork and belief. Shafali Verma’s explosive 87 set up the innings, Deepti Sharma’s composed knock steadied the middle order, and both played key roles again with the ball. The side’s balance and calmness reflected the discipline Muzumdar had instilled since taking charge in 2023.

After the match, Harmanpreet credited her coach for transforming the team’s mindset and consistency.

“Sir’s contribution has been phenomenal. Since his arrival, everything became more stable. He made us focus on small details, repeating what needed work. This victory is as much his as it is ours,” she said.

Muzumdar, visibly emotional, lauded his captain’s poise and resilience.

“When I took over, the first person I called was Harman — she was in Australia. We spoke about our vision and how we wanted to play our cricket. What followed was total trust and commitment from her. She’s been an exceptional leader,” he said, calling the triumph a “watershed moment” for Indian women’s cricket.

Their journey wasn’t without hurdles. India endured a tough group phase, losing three games in a row — a stretch that invited sharp criticism from fans and experts. But Harmanpreet and Muzumdar stayed united, backed their plans, and restored confidence in a shaken dressing room.