Archive · 6 Nov 2025
Harmanpreet Kaur Recreates Gavaskar's 1983 World Cup Ball Act
Imagine a super special ball that was used to win a big game.
India's women's cricket captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, just won the World Cup for the first time!
After the winning moment, she did something similar to what a famous male player, Sunil Gavaskar, did many years ago.
He kept the ball from when India won its very first World Cup.
Harmanpreet also kept the ball from her team's big win.
She told the Prime Minister that she didn't plan it, but she felt she had to keep it after all the hard work.
Sunil Gavaskar saw this and said it reminded him of his own special memory.
He hopes Harmanpreet gets all her teammates to sign the ball, just like he did, to make it an even more special souvenir.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur recreated Sunil Gavaskar's 1983 act of keeping the final match ball.
Kaur kept the ball after India's maiden Women's Cricket World Cup win in 2025 against South Africa.
She revealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that keeping the ball was an instinctive, 'God's plan' moment.
Gavaskar recalled his own experience of keeping the 1983 final ball and getting teammates' signatures.
Gavaskar hopes Kaur will get her teammates' autographs on the ball as a cherished memento.
- Who
- India's Women's Cricket Team captain Harmanpreet Kaur and former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar
- What
- Harmanpreet Kaur recreated Sunil Gavaskar's iconic act of keeping the final match ball from the 1983 World Cup win, this time after India's 2025 Women's World Cup victory.
- When
- The Women's World Cup final was on Sunday, November 2, 2025. The act was revealed during a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Where
- The Women's World Cup final was held at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The revelation occurred during a meeting in New Delhi.
- Why
- Kaur kept the ball as an instinctive gesture, seeing it as 'God's plan' after years of hard work, similar to Gavaskar's own motivation in 1983.
Harmanpreet Kaur's Perspective
Sunil Gavaskar's Perspective
The Special Ball
Harmanpreet Kaur's Perspective
Kaur revealed that keeping the final match ball was not pre-planned but an instinctive act after taking the winning catch. She felt it was 'God's plan' after years of hard work and waiting for this moment and confirmed she still has the ball in her bag.
Sunil Gavaskar's Perspective
Gavaskar recalled his own act of keeping the 1983 World Cup final ball, getting all teammates' signatures. He expressed hope that Kaur would also get her teammates' autographs on the ball, suggesting even including South African players for a lifelong memento.
- Event
- India Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Victory
- Final Match Ball Act
- Harmanpreet Kaur kept the final match ball, similar to Sunil Gavaskar's 1983 act.
- Key Individuals
- Harmanpreet Kaur, Sunil Gavaskar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Date of Final
- Sunday, November 2, 2025
- Location of Final
- DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
- Opponent in Final
- South Africa
- Historical Context
- India's first Men's Cricket World Cup win was in 1983.
Sources
Sunil Gavaskar comparisons between 1983 and 2025 World Cup triumphs: ‘The men had never progressed beyond the group stage…women already had a better record’
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Women's team made every Indian hold head high
Smriti, Jemimah, Harmanpreet new brand of Indian cricket
Women’s World Cup triumph a watershed moment for Indian sports not just cricket: Amol Muzumdar
'Catch Hone Se Pehle Hass Rahi Thi?': PM Modi Asks Shafali Verma About Sune Luus Wicket, Team India Opener Gives Humorous Reply; Video
‘Back then we came without the trophy, today we bring it to you,’ Harmanpreet tells PM Modi during team’s meet
'Its been surreal': India head coach Amol Mazumdar on Womens World Cup triumph
