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ICC Women's World Cup 2025: Harmanpreet Kaur's Health Battles That Made Her a Stronger Captain

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, November 3rd 2025 at 4:33 GMT by TheHealthSite
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ICC Women’s World Cup 2025: How Harmanpreet Kaur’s Health Battles Forged a Stronger Captain

The Indian women’s cricket team has long been a source of inspiration for millions of fans across the subcontinent, but no story is as compelling as that of its skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur. In the run‑up to the 2025 Women’s World Cup, Kaur has shown that her greatest strength is not just her batting or her field‑craft, but the resilience she has built from a series of health challenges that tested her body and mind in equal measure. The Health Site’s latest feature explores these battles in depth, revealing how each setback has sharpened her leadership and galvanized her team.

1. A History of Physical Setbacks

Harmanpreet Kaur’s journey to the top of Indian cricket has been anything but linear. The opening bat was first thrust into the limelight during the 2014 ICC Women’s World Twenty20, where she scored a brilliant 76* against England. However, the same period marked the beginning of a string of injuries that would keep her on the sidelines for months at a time.

• Torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) – In late 2016, a freak slip on the wicket during a domestic match left Kaur with a torn ACL. The injury required surgery and a rigorous rehabilitation program that kept her out of competitive cricket for almost a year. Her recovery was a testament to her determination, with physiotherapy sessions that blended traditional techniques with modern sports science.

• Back Stress Fracture – A few years later, while preparing for the 2018 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, Kaur suffered a stress fracture in her lumbar region. The injury forced her to pull out of a crucial warm‑up series. Instead of letting the injury derail her season, she engaged in specialized core‑strengthening routines, worked with a sports chiropractor, and used a weighted vest for low‑impact drills to rebuild her strength without re‑injuring the spine.

• Broken Ankle in 2021 – During a tour of Australia, a hard tackle on a fielding position led to a fractured ankle. The injury cut short her participation in the 2021 T20 World Cup, and she had to learn to manage pain and adapt her batting stance to accommodate the recovery period.

These episodes were not isolated; they formed a pattern of “physical setbacks” that forced Kaur to adapt, both on and off the field.

2. Mental Health: The Hidden Battle

While the physical injuries are visible and often discussed in match commentary, Kaur’s mental health struggles remained largely in the shadows—until she chose to speak openly about them. In a candid interview that The Health Site linked to, Kaur described the anxiety she felt when a single match could determine her place on the team. She said, “I’ve felt a lot of pressure, and at times I wondered if I was good enough.”

Her candidness was a turning point. Kaur turned to a sports psychologist and began practicing mindfulness techniques, including guided meditation and breathing exercises. She also set up a weekly “mental health check‑in” with her team, which helped foster an environment where players could voice concerns without fear of stigma. This psychological resilience has translated into on‑field confidence, allowing her to make split‑second decisions under pressure.

3. The Power of Rehabilitation and Nutrition

One of the most striking aspects of Kaur’s comeback is the way she has harnessed nutrition and fitness science to stay injury‑free. The article highlights several key elements:

• Personalised Nutrition Plan – Kaur’s dietitian crafted a vegetarian menu rich in plant‑based proteins, omega‑3 sources, and antioxidants. A focus on calcium and vitamin D has helped her bone density, crucial for a batter who needs to absorb the impact of a fast delivery.

• Targeted Strength Training – Beyond general fitness, Kaur’s training regimen is tailored to support her specific injury history. Her routine includes lower‑body plyometrics, core stabilisation, and upper‑body mobility drills. The goal is to create a “balanced, resilient body” that can withstand the rigors of a 50‑over match.

• Recovery Protocols – She has adopted advanced recovery methods such as cryotherapy, contrast baths, and ultrasound therapy to speed up healing. Regular massages and physiotherapy sessions are a staple, ensuring that no strain goes unchecked.

The synergy of these factors has allowed Kaur to return to the crease with a level of fitness that matches her natural talent.

4. Leadership on the Field

With the 2025 Women’s World Cup looming, the Indian board has no doubt that Kaur’s experiences will shape the team’s strategy. She has spoken to the press about how her injuries taught her the importance of “team synergy.” In a pre‑tournament briefing, she said, “When I was injured, I saw how the coaching staff and my teammates went above and beyond to support me. That’s what we need to replicate on the field.”

Her approach to leadership is now more inclusive and proactive:

• Empowerment of Young Players – Kaur mentors newer players such as Shikha Pandey and Anjali Bhardwaj, guiding them through the mental and physical demands of international cricket. She emphasises the importance of a “growth mindset” and encourages them to treat setbacks as learning opportunities.

• Data‑Driven Strategy – Having worked closely with the analytics team, Kaur is now adept at interpreting match data to inform tactical decisions. Her ability to read bowlers’ variations and field settings in real time has become a hallmark of her captaincy.

• Resilience Culture – Through her own journey, she has championed a culture where players feel comfortable discussing injuries and mental fatigue openly. The team now conducts “post‑match debriefs” that include a focus on emotional well‑being, ensuring that the pressure of the tournament does not translate into burnout.

5. The Road Ahead: 2025 Women’s World Cup

The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 will be hosted in Australia and New Zealand, and India is already eyeing a podium finish. The Health Site’s feature includes a link to the ICC’s official tournament page, where fans can track India’s fixture list, player statistics, and match results. According to the schedule, India will face New Zealand in their opening group match, a formidable opponent that will test Kaur’s tactical acumen and the squad’s resilience.

Kaur’s narrative is far from finished. As she leads the team, her story will continue to inspire not just Indian cricket fans but anyone who has faced adversity. Her health battles, both physical and mental, have forged a captain who not only knows how to bat and bowl but also how to inspire a team to rise above hardship.

Key Takeaways

In conclusion, Harmanpreet Kaur’s journey to the 2025 Women’s World Cup is a testament to the power of perseverance. Each injury she overcame added a layer of mental toughness and a deeper understanding of team dynamics, ultimately shaping her into the formidable captain that Indian fans can proudly rally behind. Her story serves as a reminder that true strength is forged through hardship, that vulnerability can be a source of empowerment, and that leadership is as much about inspiring others as it is about scoring runs.