Mental toughness in action: Lessons to learn from Indian women’s cricket victory

Written by: Ehsan Siddiqui Reviewed by: Dr. Swati Mishra 3 November 2025

[{"selector":"#anim-ae37bee0-5106-4281-aeac-4e8700a56ec0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ac5f5fa9-d7b9-46ab-92fe-aa4e63db9690","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 158.6095%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Yes, it happened, the Indian women's cricket team won the ICC Women's ODI World Cup for the first time. But what can we learn from them about the winning mindset? Photo Credit: Freepik

Believe Before You Win

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Pressure? What Pressure!

[{"selector":"#anim-51f2b545-c475-442f-af79-586be22cfe99","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-28983232-2971-463c-a234-b719695be16e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 127.66439%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2d5bf83f-f0cb-44da-9b73-bfd4ca6f0ebf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bae28cef-76d1-4be8-807a-82d39e88ebb4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 456.20899%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Like life, cricket requires mental toughness. A resilient mindset can help you manage stress, avoid burnout, and perform well under pressure. Remember that mental strength is just as important as physical strength. Photo Credit: Freepik

Discipline & Consistency

[{"selector":"#anim-e591fe5c-db05-4300-9de0-cdc828ef402d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-738a7915-3c5f-49b2-8bbe-3e80805dbeac","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 124.09298%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-522db66f-96b3-4972-bb43-2fb092a7ccfc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d9b6d721-53ff-4643-aebc-944a45d4dad5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 434.15021%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Champions maintain discipline and practice on a regular basis. Consistent work and discipline are your most powerful allies when it comes to enhancing your physical or mental wellness. Photo Credit: Freepik

Bounce Back From Setbacks

[{"selector":"#anim-ac71ca60-4f7f-41c2-a483-5bb267dfb8df","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b6be3061-deb2-4a6c-8e27-afd6d528ebbc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 120.55555%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ec314161-3875-46cb-a968-03eb11955501","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dcca8751-56fe-4b0f-bef4-ce0619af7bb5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 467.97371%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Every setback hides an opportunity for progress. Losing a match or missing a goal is not a failure; it is feedback. Progress is fueled by reflection, not regret. Resilience is about learning, adapting, and coming back stronger. Photo Credit: Freepik

Teamwork For Success

[{"selector":"#anim-9b9e5291-582a-4e1b-ba1b-88d1b44fa9e9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-63939f89-827f-444f-baa3-0d68c0631078","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 113.80011%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9d423a76-681c-4f0b-a6f4-5666d51c3bd0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6abffb68-a1bb-4391-a940-35676f45c416","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 770.06218%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Win exemplifies the value of collaboration and support. Nobody wins alone. Having individuals who encourage, challenge, and support you lowers anxiety and boosts self-esteem is a key to success. Photo Credit: Freepik