Earlier this week, the Indian women's cricket team made history by winning its first World Cup title, nearly 50 years after the side played its first international match.
The women fought hard for their win; after a three-match losing streak in the round-robin stage, they overcame external and internal challenges to defeat then unbeaten Australia in the semi-final and a resolute South African side in the final.
The grit and determination they showed on the field are reflected in their lives off it.
Many of the players come from India's small towns and have had humble beginnings. They come from families that had to sacrifice much to support their dreams and believed in them when no one else did.
These are women whose careers were built playing cricket in village lanes, with second-hand bats and seam-less balls and many doubting their ambition because of their gender. Theirs is a legacy that was forged because they kept going when it would have been easier to stop.
Harmanpreet Kaur: Leading with what she came from
After the historic win was secured, captain Harmanpreet Kaur sprinted towards her father, Harmandar Singh Bhullar, the moment she saw him. She leapt onto him, wrapping her arms and legs around him as he held her. Born in Moga town, long known as the drug capital of Punjab, Harmanpreet's family kept ambitions simple and discipline firm, overcoming financial limitations to allow her passion for cricket to flourish.
Amanjot Kaur: Composed under pressure
Amanjot Kaur's journey from her father's carpentry workshop to becoming a key player in the World Cup final highlights her resilience and her father's commitment to her dreams, making her first bat himself when resources were scarce.
Radha Yadav: From pavement stall to podium
Radha Yadav transformed her family's financial situation with her cricket success, opening a grocery shop with her earnings. Her journey from tennis-ball cricket to the World Cup podium signifies the support of her family and her relentless determination.
Renuka Singh Thakur: Quiet control
With a background of loss and struggle, Renuka Singh Thakur's skill and perseverance exemplify the hard work that made her rise in the cricketing ranks, anchoring India's bowling attack in the tournament.
