Wanted to break the barrier, now want to make it a habit - Harmanpreet

Harmanpreet Kaur, India captain

I am so grateful for this crowd, they have been really amazing. Thank you for being with us in all our ups and downs. Last game also, we spoke that self-belief was there, even though we lost three back-to-back games. we knew we had something special to turn things around. They stayed positive, we knew what we had to do, everyone was so involved, they were there day and night and this team deserves to be there.

When Laura and Sune were batting, they were looking really good. I just saw Shafali standing there, and the way she was batting, I knew it was our day. I thought I have to go with my gut feeling. If my heart was saying, I had to give her at least one over. And that was the turning point for us. When she came to the team, we spoke to her that we might need 2-3 overs, and she said if you give me bowling, I will bowl ten overs. Credit goes to her, she was so positive and she was there for the team. Salute her.

Today's pitch was totally different. We knew this total is enough for a final because you always have a little extra pressure. We should give credit to South Africa, they batted beautifully. In the end, they panicked a little and that is where we cashed. At the right time, Deepti came in and took those wickets.

Every time, after every World Cup, we were always discussing to cross that line. In the last two years, Amol sir was with the team and he was always telling us to come up with something special, and to keep preparing for the big occasion. We should give credit to the support staff and the BCCI. We did not make too many changes, and they really invested in us, and because of everyone, we are standing here. This is the start. We wanted to break this barrier. And our next plan is to make this a habit. We were waiting for it. now this moment has come. So many big occasions are coming, and we want to keep improving. This is not the end, just the beginning.

Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa captain

I could not be prouder of this team for the campaign we had. Brilliant cricket throughout but outplayed today. Unfortunate to be on the losing side but we will definitely grow from this. We did so well to put those couple of bad games behind us. We were either really good or really bad, but thankfully more of the really good. Amazing tournament for a lot of the players, and proud of the resilience we showed.

Probably did not have my best year leading into the World Cup (as a batter) and probably did not start it well. Overthinking, it was not good. It is just another game of cricket, trying to separate the two and that sort of freed me up a bit to play my natural game and then focus on the captaincy at a different time.

We were hoping for a little bit more (swing). There was still something in it, so still feel it was the right call to bowl. We were in it for a lot of the chase but lost too many wickets. I kept checking that scoreboard and they were definitely tracking for 350. Back end was amazing (with the ball) and we have been amazing throughout. We really felt we could chase it.

She (Shafali Verma) batted excellently. That is the way she plays. When it comes off, she can really hurt teams.

She (Marizanne Kapp) has been phenomenal for so many editions. Really sad it is going to be her last one. Whole group wanted to win it for her. She is two players in one and very happy she is on our team.

Deepti Sharma, Player of the tournament

Honestly, this is feeling like a dream because we have not been able to come out of that emotion. Feeling really nice I could contribute this way in a World Cup final. We have always thought about how we can use the takeaways from every match. Thanks to them (the fans), this would not have been possible. As a team, we are feeling very happy.

I always enjoy, whichever department I am in, or whichever situation is. I wanted to play according to the situation. Enjoyed a lot. As a stage, to perform as an all-rounder, it cannot be a more amazing feeling.

Laura played a very good innings. But we were always calm, and cheering each other up. As a bowling unit, we were talking about going to the last ball and to focus on our best ball, and that is what we did.

There has been a lot of change since 2017. I hope there are even more matches now. I just wanted to dedicate this trophy to my mom and dad.

Shafali Verma, Player of the Match

I said at the start that God has sent me to do something good. And today that was reflected. And I am very happy that we finally won the World Cup. I can't express it in words. It was difficult but I had confidence in myself. That I will believe in myself. And if I keep myself calm, I can do anything. So that belief and that calmness... My parents, my friends, my brother, I think everyone supported me. Everyone used to tell me how to play. And how important this final is for me, for the whole team. So today I was only thinking about how to make the runs so that the team should win. My mind was clear today. And I went and worked on my plans. I am so happy that they got executed.

The team was talking to me a lot. Harman was always a supporter. And I think everyone supported me a lot. All the teammates were very welcoming and supportive. The team just opened their hearts and told me to play my game. Not to leave my game. So, I think when you get so much clarity, then you feel very happy. No, it's a very memorable moment for me. But when I saw Sachin sir, I got a different boost. I keep talking to Sachin sir. He always gives me confidence. And I think they are legends. They are masters of cricket. But I got a lot of inspiration from them. I get a lot of inspiration when I talk to them. I got a lot of inspiration after seeing them.

Smriti Mandhana, India vice captain

I don't know how to react to that. Still sinking in. Have not been emotional on a cricket field. But a very unreal moment. Home World Cup, and to just read that "champions India", very unreal moment. Every World Cup, we go in and there have been so many heartbreaks for all of us.

We always believe we have a bigger responsibility with women's cricket. Genuinely to see the support we have gotten, I mean, I don't know how to explain the last 40 days. I will take that 45 days of not sleeping every night.

The last T20 World Cup was a difficult one for us to take. We had a clear focus on working on our fitness, working on each and every aspect. The way everyone just stuck in and played - in a World Cup like this, everyone was there for each other. I cannot tell you how the team environment is, and it was just magic.

Amol Muzumdar, India head coach

Absolutely proud. I don't know, it has not yet sunk in. Unbelievable achievement and they deserve every credit and everything that will follow from here. They have worked terribly hard. They have done every Indian proud. We did not look at those (three successive) losses as losses, we looked them as we could not get over the line. We dominated majority of those matches, and we just thought there are some hiccups. We were still alive in the tournament and here we are, as world champions. I know for a fact that they have worked extremely hard for this, and it is a watershed moment for Indian cricket.

Magical, absolutely magical (on Shafali's innings). Turns up in the semi final. In the final, packed ground, turns up with a magical innings, and then with the ball.

That was one thing we spoke a lot about in the dressing room. Fielding and fitness was something we spoke about. They just turned it up on this day in the World Cup final - I could not have asked for more.