India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has revealed the stern message delivered by head coach Amol Muzumdar during the team’s successful 2025 Women’s World Cup campaign after a difficult phase in the tournament. Speaking on JioStar’s “Unstoppable” ahead of the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the United Kingdom, Harmanpreet recalled how the usually soft-spoken coach raised his voice following India’s narrow defeat to England and urged the players to take a hard look at their performances. India eventually recovered from that setback to go on and win the World Cup title.

India had begun their home World Cup campaign strongly with victories over Sri Lanka and Pakistan, but their momentum was interrupted by successive defeats against South Africa, Australia, and England. The loss to England proved particularly painful as India fell short by just four runs while chasing a target of 289. According to Harmanpreet, the defeat forced the team into serious introspection, with the coaching staff demanding greater accountability and clarity from the players during a critical stage of the tournament.

Recalling the dressing-room atmosphere after the England match, Harmanpreet said Amol Muzumdar addressed the team directly and honestly. She revealed that the coach told the players to “go and buy a mirror” to understand what they were doing wrong and what improvements were required under pressure situations. Harmanpreet said the team accepted the criticism positively because everyone understood the seriousness of the situation and recognized that the coach’s comments were aimed at motivating the players rather than criticizing them personally.

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India responded strongly after the difficult run, defeating New Zealand to secure a semifinal spot while their scheduled game against Bangladesh was washed out due to rain. The team then produced one of its finest performances of the tournament by completing a record-breaking chase against defending champions Australia in the semifinal. India carried that momentum into the final and defeated South Africa, led by Laura Wolvaardt, to lift the World Cup trophy and complete a memorable turnaround after the mid-tournament struggles.

Harmanpreet also spoke about handling external pressure and criticism during major tournaments, explaining why she prefers to stay away from social media while competitions are ongoing. The India skipper described social media as mentally draining and said she avoids reading reactions or advice during tournaments. According to her, players already understand when they are performing well or poorly, and excessive attention to online opinions can create unnecessary distractions during high-pressure events.

India are currently leading their ongoing three-match series 1-0 and are preparing for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign in the United Kingdom. Harmanpreet’s side will begin their tournament with a high-profile clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in Birmingham on June 14. With experienced players and growing confidence following their World Cup triumph, India will aim to carry their momentum into another major global tournament under Harmanpreet’s leadership and Amol Muzumdar’s guidance.

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