Hey there!

It’s Sparsh here!👋 

In early November 2025, the Indian women’s cricket team did what had long seemed elusive: they lifted their first-ever 50-over World Cup trophy after defeating the South African women’s cricket team by 52 runs in front of a packed stadium at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. 🏟️ 

Their victory isn’t just a sporting landmark — it’s a case study in resilience, teamwork, strategic execution, and ambition. For investors and founders, it’s rich with takeaways about what winning founders look like. 👀 

Let’s dive in to know more! 🚀 

In partnership with

🚀 The journey to the summit

The story of India’s women’s team is less “overnight success” and more “decades of persistence meets moment of breakthrough.” 🏏

🎯 What made them winners – five character traits

Here, we delve into the traits that elevated the team and highlight how each trait parallels startup/VC thinking.

1. 🧠Resilience & comeback mindset

After defeats and setbacks, the team didn’t fold — they regrouped and hit back hard.

💡For founders: Expect the losses, but build a culture where failure is analysed, resets happen quickly, and comebacks are the norm.

2. 🎯Strategic leadership & role clarity

Under Harmanpreet Kaur, the team demonstrated strong on-field leadership, with a smart use of bowlers, effective field settings, and clear roles.

💡For founders: Leadership isn’t just about vision; it’s about execution. Clear roles, knowing what each team member does and equipping them matter.

3. 💪Team-first culture and collective belief

The players celebrated past icons like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami during the victory, acknowledging the broader journey they had undertaken.

💡For startups: Culture wins. Respect history, build a shared mission, make sure every team member feels part of something bigger.

4. 🔄Adaptability under pressure

During the tournament, they adapted: after early losses, they adjusted their tactics and attitude and performed better under pressure.

💡For founders/VCs: Markets change, competitors shift. Adaptability is a core trait—rigid plans fail, agile execution wins.

5. ⚙️Ambition paired with grounded preparation

The win wasn’t just about dreaming big — years of infrastructure change, grassroots focus, support systems (e.g., merging women’s cricket under BCCI) helped.

💡For founders: Big vision is essential, but so is the preparation — team, processes, resources, and culture need to align.

📌 What VCs Should Look For in Founders

🌍 Broader Impact & What’s Next

🔍 Closing Thoughts

The story of the Indian women’s cricket team’s World Cup victory is more than a trophy lift: it’s a blueprint for how ambition, preparation, resilience and smart leadership converge. 🏆

For investors and founders, it’s a reminder — success isn’t only about the final moment; it’s about the years behind it, the culture, the mindset, the team, the execute-adapt-execute cycle. 🔄

If you spot founders who embody those traits… you might just be backing the next champion. 🎯