Kol cheers for Blues, in clubs, malls & at Navi Mumbai stadium
Times of India | 3 November 2025
Kolkata: As the final South African wicket fell, Kolkata broke into celebrations, hailing the Women in Blue who finally conquered world cricket and exorcised the ghosts of 2005 and 2017 when they had come just as close, creating a 1983 moment.
As crackers burst and cheers went up across homes, pubs, clubs, restaurants and people danced on the streets with the Tricolour, women's cricket finally matched the popularity of men's. On a day the men's team, too, defeated Australia in a T20 game, Harmanpreet & Co emerged as a bunch of new and bigger stars by defeating South Africa by 52 runs and lifting the ICC Women's World Cup.
And die-hard cricket fans were more keen on the women's match. It was the prolific Smriti Mandhana and swashbuckling opener Shafali Varma who got India off to a flyer after a delayed start, adding more than 100 runs in 18 overs.
They hit Marizanne Kapp and her girls all over the park, setting the tone for the day. Women's cricket's poster-girl Mandhana notched up a gritty 45 and got out just as she looked good for more.
Shopping malls, neighbourhood clubs, several restaurants and nightclubs were thronged by fans eager to witness a famous victory. "It was a perfect way to finish and Indian women deserved the cup. We had families and groups dropping in to watch the match over food and drinks.
Footfalls remained high till the end of the match, even as home deliveries swelled," said Chapter 2 owner Shiladitya Chaudhury.
Techie Souvik Basu, who watched the match at home with friends, said the women's team finally proved they were just as good as the men. "They had come very close to winning the cup in 2017 and this time, they staged a spectacular turnaround after losing three matches. The girls batted and bowled out of their skin and did us proud. Now, cricket-lovers like me will idolise Mandhana, Varma and Rodrigues just as we admire Gill, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli," said Basu.
A loud cheer went up at a Chetla club as Jemima Rodrigues walked in to bat. Every time she clipped the ball for a single, locals gathered in a front of giant TV screen clapped. Silence descended as Harmanpreet Kaur lost her wicket.
Kolkata entrepreneur Mahesh Punjabi, who had travelled to Dubai for the Asia Cup in Sept, watched Sunday's contest at home with friends.
"The women played grittily and got off to a good start. Shafali Varma provided the perfect launchpad with her strokeplay and others followed. This World Cup victory will be a big turning point for women's cricket in India. Everyone has been following the matches keenly," said Punjabi, adding that WhatsApp groups have been buzzing with excitement around the final.
Many from Kolkata flew to Mumbai for the match. "They enjoyed the match thoroughly even though it was a bit rushed. I have never seen such craze for women's cricket before," said Manav Soni of the Travel Agents' Association of India. He added that India played cautiously in the beginning, accelerated at the right moment and ensured that South Africa never had a chance.
Fans had started streaming in from early evening at Songhai and Manthan in central Kolkata that had multiple screens. "We served Smriti sundaes and Jemima Jade Fried Chicken as a tribute to the leading ladies of Indian cricket. We had a full house at all our three restaurants, including MS Bar & Lounge. A special band played for the occasion and visitors had a gala time enjoying the match and the music. As India inched towards victory, the excitement was palpable.
Since the match was delayed the closing time to 12 midnight and we had a full crowd till the end," said Sudesh Poddar, owner of Songhai, Manthan and MS Bar & Lounge.