Melbourne, Australia – Indian cricketer Abhishek Sharma has expressed immense pride and motivation following the Indian women's cricket team's historic entry into the Women's World Cup final. Sharma, currently in Australia for the T20I series, revealed that the men's team was glued to their screens during the semi-final clash against Australia, a match that saw India chase down a record-breaking total to secure their place in the final against South Africa.
"We were following all the matches," Abhishek said after his own innings in the second T20I against Australia. "Regarding the semi-final, I don't think India have ever won a game like this before". He emphasized the team's maturity and unity, stating, "The way they've shown maturity and played together as a unit is inspiring".
Sharma specifically lauded the performances of Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur, whose impressive batting display anchored India's chase. "But when Jemimah and Harmanpreet were batting, it never looked like India were under pressure," he noted. Rodrigues's unbeaten 127 was instrumental in the victory, helping India achieve the highest successful run chase in Women's ODI World Cup history. Kaur contributed a valuable 89 runs. Sharma believes that their ability to handle pressure was a key factor in the win.
The victory was particularly significant as it ended Australia's 15-match winning streak in World Cups, a streak that stretched back to the 2022 edition. Sharma acknowledged the inspiration the women's team provided, saying, "Watching women's cricket like that is genuinely motivating". He added that the men's team has drawn inspiration from the women's remarkable comeback against the reigning champions.
Despite facing a tough loss in their own T20I match against Australia, Sharma's focus remained on celebrating the women's team's achievement. "Even as India's men endured a tough night at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, young star Abhishek Sharma found reason to celebrate," a news source noted. He believes the Women in Blue "fully deserves to lift the trophy after their stunning victory over Australia in the semi-final".
Looking ahead to the final against South Africa, Sharma conveyed his confidence in the team's chances. "They truly deserve it, and I'm confident they will do well," he stated. He emphasized that the team's performance throughout the tournament has earned them the right to be considered strong contenders for the title. "The way they played the semifinal game, I think they really deserve it. And they are going to do well," Sharma told reporters.
Sharma's comments reflect the widespread support and admiration for the Indian women's cricket team as they prepare for the World Cup final. His words also highlight the unifying power of sports, with both the men's and women's teams inspiring each other on the global stage. Both teams are scheduled to play their next matches on November 2nd.
