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“Girls are much better”: Kapil Dev on comparisons between 1983 squad and Women's WC 

Aakash Saini

Kapil Dev and Harmanpreet Kaur [Source: @StarSportsIndia/x, AFP]Kapil Dev and Harmanpreet Kaur [Source: @StarSportsIndia/x, AFP]

Former Indian captain Kapil Dev has extended his best wishes to the Indian Women’s team ahead of their 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final against South Africa Women. The legendary all-rounder also urged everyone to stop comparing the current women’s team to India men’s 1983 World Cup winning group.

Kapil Dev believes that the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side is “much better and smarter” as they have taken the “level of cricket to next level”.

Kapil Dev says Harmanpreet Kaur has taken cricket to “next level”

India’s 1983 World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev has praised women’s skipper Harmanpreet Kaur after her exceptional performance against defending champions and hitherto unbeaten Australia in the semifinal. The cricketer made 89 at a near run-a-ball to help India pull off a record chase of 339 runs.

While speaking with Star Sports India on the eve of the 2025 Women’s World Cup final, Kapil Dev said:

“A lot of people compare them to ‘83, and I don’t think there should ever be a comparison. These girls are much better, very smart, and the way they played cricket, it felt like they took the level of cricket to the next level. The way the captain played cricket is of a different level, and I would like that tomorrow’s final should be better than this. I can understand that you want to win to a certain extent, but what kind of cricket you play should be discussed more.”

Kapil Dev also added that there will be “more happiness” among Indian fans if the women’s team clinches the World Cup at home. He stated:

“If they win, there will be even more happiness, but they should play good cricket. The way they have played, it will be even better.”

The 2025 Women’s World Cup final between India and South Africa will be played at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, November 2. The action is slated to commence from 3:00 PM IST onwards.