“Mark My Words”: The Coach Who Predicted India’s Historic Women’s World Cup Victory
On October 26, well before the semifinal lineup was even decided, former India women’s team fielding coach Biju George made a bold declaration on social media. His words were simple, yet audacious: “Mark my words… Australia will lose only one match in the Women’s World Cup — to India in the semifinals! India will win this tournament.”
Such a confident prediction raised eyebrows. Friends laughed, others questioned, and some scoffed at the idea of India lifting the trophy. But George, who served as India’s fielding coach between 2017 and 2019, remained unperturbed. He knew something others didn’t.
The Uncanny Prediction That Shook the Cricket World
George’s belief was unwavering. When India stunned Australia in a record-breaking semifinal chase and then went on to defeat South Africa in the final to lift their maiden ODI World Cup trophy, his words turned prophetic. Suddenly, his phone began buzzing with calls.
“I wish betting was legal in India — I could’ve put some money, like 10–15 days back, and cleared off some of my debts,” a laughing George later told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.
A Vision of Victory: How George Knew
For George, the triumph wasn’t a stroke of luck but a culmination of observable patterns and deep belief in the team’s evolution. “I knew we were winning this tournament 150% because I saw the pattern. See, life is full of patterns, and as a coach, you look for patterns,” he explained.
His confidence was so strong that he even offered a specific tactical prediction: sending Jemimah Rodrigues one down. “And that’s what happened,” he recalled. Even a follow-up post, misinterpreted by some, emphasized his conviction: “This cup is for India to lose and South Africa to win,” meaning only a foolish error could derail India.
George pointed to several key factors that fortified his belief:
- Team Evolution: The squad had evolved from individual efforts into a cohesive unit, a “chorus” of contributors.
- Finishing Power: India’s past struggles in closing matches were resolved with Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh excelling in the late innings.
- Unwavering Belief: A strong conviction that the team had the talent and synergy to conquer any opponent.
Harmanpreet Kaur: Stepping Out of the Shadows
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur played a pivotal role in this historic victory. Having been part of the agonizing 2017 World Cup final loss to England, she, along with Deepti Sharma and Smriti Mandhana, were the only three players from that heartbreak who finally etched their names in history.
From Lone Warrior to Team Leader
George recognized Harmanpreet’s unique talent early on. “Even with Mithali around, Poonam around — Harman was, in white-ball cricket, the better player among all these people,” he stated, recalling her legendary 171* against Australia in the 2017 semifinals.
However, her approach to leadership had matured. “Earlier, Harman used to believe that she had to win the match all by herself,” George observed. “Now, she knows she’s got people like Richa, Deepti, Jemi, Smriti, Rawal, Shafali, Amanjot — who can win the match, who can be match-winners too. That takes huge pressure off her.” This newfound trust in her teammates has allowed Harmanpreet to play with greater freedom and strategic depth.
The Fielding Revolution: Winning Matches Beyond the Bat
Beyond batting and bowling, India’s exceptional fielding standards were a game-changer. Players like Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma have frequently credited George for elevating the team’s fielding prowess and teaching them to be “live wires” on the field.
In the final itself, India’s sharp fielding was evident. After posting 298 for 7, they stifled South Africa’s early scoring, building immense pressure by restricting boundaries. The intensity was palpable, effectively “spinning a web” around the opposition openers.
Nurturing Fielders: The George Effect
George spoke with immense pride about working with talented fielders. “Jemi, Radha, Arundhati — brilliant fielders, a pleasure to work with, a privilege,” he enthused. “These people — if you’re a goldsmith, you need gold to work with. As a fielding coach, when you have people like Jemi and Aru, ready to throw their bodies on the line, slide around, willing to learn and try everything — that is good.”
Jemimah Rodrigues, in particular, has publicly acknowledged George’s transformative impact. He even recounted a vivid memory: “Jemi has put it on record many times, crediting me for transforming her as a fielder. She also has a picture with her right and left hands all bandaged up, all swollen, after a few sessions with me. That was in 2017 or 2018 — she still has that picture; once in a while, she sends it to me, saying, ‘Look what you had done to me!’”
Conclusion
Biju George’s prophetic vision highlights not just an incredible prediction, but also the deep understanding a coach can have of their team’s potential. India’s maiden Women’s ODI World Cup triumph was a testament to evolving team dynamics, resilient leadership under Harmanpreet Kaur, and a revolutionized fielding unit. It’s a story of belief, hard work, and the sweet taste of victory, truly marking a new era for Indian women’s cricket.