'It was the toughest catch of my life': Amanjot Kaur on taking Laura Wolvaardt’s catch in Women’s World Cup final

Navi Mumbai: They say that catches win matches. Some catches, like the one then-Indian captain Kapil Dev took, running backwards to grab the ball and send an on-song West Indies great Viv Richards back at a critical stage in the 1983 World Cup final, decide the fate of that match and the tournament itself. On Sunday night, under the bright lights and deafening roars of 40,000 cheering spectators at the DY Patil Stadium in the final of the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup, one such moment was produced by Indian allrounder Amanjot Kaur. Batting on a composed, classy 101, South African captain Laura Wolvaardt was crafting a masterclass, steering her team steadily towards what looked like an inevitable victory on her own, when she smashed a ball towards deep mid-wicket, where a sprinting Amanjot caught it on her third attempt.

The roar that followed reverberated through the DY Patil Stadium as Amanjot's teammates swarmed her, with the fielders spread across the ground in relief. It was a catch that stamped the fact that this was India's night. Nothing could go wrong for them. "Oh my God, it was the toughest catch of my life. I've never fumbled while taking a catch before this in my life. Either I catch the ball or spill it — there's nothing in between! For the first time, God gave me three opportunities.

It was a crucial catch, and we knew she would attack after completing her century and charge from one end," a smiling Amanjot told reporters in the Mixed Media Zone after her catch sealed India's World Cup triumph. A gun fielder, Amanjot contributed significantly to India's World Cup win, even accounting for the run out of Tazmin Brits to break a crucial South African opening partnership. "The wicket was playing better when they were batting.

We knew that breaking partnerships was the key. It's not easy to field under lights with the dew. We tried hard — there were a few lapses by us in the field, but God wanted us to win," she said. Before the World Cup, Amanjot hid her injury from her family and went to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for recovery. "I have not spoken at home yet. All I know is that they have burst some crackers and my grandparents are asleep.

In the morning, my aunt told me to just swing without seeing the ball. My family members don't understand cricket much. For them, if the ball hits the bat, it's a four. If not, then you are out — and if you are leg-before, why are you even carrying a bat for?" the youngster grinned. Hailing

Deepti Sharma

, who had a huge impact on India's campaign — scoring 58 in the final besides taking a five-wicket haul (22 wickets and 238 runs with three fifties) in nine matches — Amanjot termed the senior off-spinner as the "glue that holds the team together." "You can pull out any match whenever she is playing — some or the other record is breaking. Deepti is like that glue which holds our team together, be it bowling, batting, or fielding," she said. In India’s first match of this World Cup at Guwahati, Amanjot scored a crucial 57 off 56 balls to rescue the team when they were in dire straits against Sri Lanka at 124 for six in 27 overs, adding 103 with Deepti Sharma to star in a 59-run win via the DLS method.

In the semis against Australia at the DY Patil Stadium, Amanjot took the crucial wicket of Phoebe Litchfield (119) when she castled her. In a high-scoring game, she conceded 1-51 in eight overs and chipped in with an eight-ball 15 not out cameo.

"I just focused on bowling straight against Litchfield," she had said. Recalling what skipper Harmanpreet told the team before the final, the 25-year-old allrounder said, “It had been more difficult for her because the highs and lows that she has seen are something that we have not. To lose by small margins is not good, and she had said this time around that she does not want to lose out by a small margin — everyone will have to go all out,” Amanjot said.