When Shreya Ghosal sang the national anthem in Guwahati, Harmanpreet Kaur stood still - eyes closed, lips moving in perfect sync, truly savouring each one of those first 52 seconds of a home World Cup as captain. In Colombo, a young volunteer nearly missed the chance to walk out with the teams for the national anthems since the player assigned to accompany her was unwell. Harmanpreet stepped in with a smile, put her arm around the kid's shoulder, and walked out holding the hands of two children - one on either side.

In Navi Mumbai, ahead of the high-stakes semifinal against Australia, she then did the unprecedented. Harmanpreet's impromptu decision to hand over her huddle to a young girl for a quick pep-talk was a tiny peek into how she leads now. It's Harmanpreet's first World Cup as captain, potentially her last too, and she has been unafraid to show her unguarded, expressive self.

Maybe it's a reflection of how she's feeling on the inside too. When India sealed their final berth, she wept happy, unrestrained tears, while tightly hugging everyone in sight. In 2017, it was her herculean effort that had carried the team past the mighty Australian side, a knock that turned her into the icon she is now. Eight years later, having stumbled more than a few times against that very opponent in the meantime, it was Jemimah Rodrigues' epic that scripted that moment. After doing her part in setting the stage for it, Harmanpreet sat in the dugout earnestly watching the circle complete - a torch quietly passed on. In those liberal tears was a story of how far Indian women's cricket has come since that moment of reckoning in 2017.

There's another, clearer hint of this evolution - and Harmanpreet is savouring that too.

"I mean, there are rarely a handful of such days when there's pressure for these small things. I think it's good that not just cricket, but there is pressure on us for arranging tickets too," India captain said on the eve of the final, leaving everyone in the room in splits.

The clamour for tickets was evident from all the extra security that had to be called in at the DY Patil's box-office gates with hundreds thronging the slip road parallel to the Mumbai-Pune highway a day after India's record chase to knock Australia out in a tough semifinal draw. The country - and certainly the players - know the energy and effort it takes, as well as the emotional upheaval involved in taking down the unanimous pre-tournament favourites.

"The semifinal was a very high-pressure game and very intense. After that, recovery was something which we all paid more attention to, because the fresher we are, mentally, [for the final] the better it will be. We've been working hard for so many years... so skill-wise we know we have done a lot. Now, it's only about keeping ourselves fresh for tomorrow. Recovery is something which we all talk about, and everybody is really taking that very seriously and hopefully tomorrow we will feel fresher for the main game," Harmanpreet shared.

It's India's third time in a World Cup final in 50-overs cricket, and first time in front of what is expected to be a sold-out crowd in Navi Mumbai. India aren't new to the big stage, and they have peaked at the right moment once they hit the familiar turf where the title clash will be their fourth straight game now. However, in between was a string of three narrow losses, one apiece against all other semifinalists, that posed serious questions about the skill and ability to handle crunch moments.

"We, as a team, weren't shaken even once eventhough we lost three big matches," the captain said. "Even after that everyone was together and we were all saying that we still have a great opportunity to reach the final. That positive mindset has brought us here. Our team has such a positive mindset and everyone wants to do good for the country and win the World Cup,

"We definitely were talking about what we wanted to improve, but at the same time, we were all looking at the same goal. It's a long process [journey], there will be ups and downs. Some teams win, some lose. But at the end of the day, it's about how we reach the end. We were talking about this journey, what we have to do after this defeat, how have to improve ourselves, and along with that we have to stay together and help each other. That really showed what positive characters are there in the team."

The team's mental resilience through tough stretch was thoroughly tested, and has shaped the team's mindset and approach to this final as well.

"In a home World Cup, there's always going to be ups and downs emotionally because it's tough. But, keeping yourself balanced and focused is the key," the 36-year-old said. "We are having those sessions where we have been talking about how we can be more focused and more balanced and at the same time keeping ourselves relaxed because this is the biggest stage and biggest opportunity for us: playing in home conditions and that also a final.

"The most important thing is that we have to enjoy this, because there is nothing bigger than this in your life as a cricketer and as a captain. Our focus is to enjoy this moment, and keep taking down the small targets to achieve as a team rather than thinking of the bigger target. When you take care of the small targets along the way,you'll automatically achieve your ultimate target."

As a result of achieving the next ultimate target the team has set its sights on, Harmanpreet is hoping to further elevate women's cricket in India, bringing it into mainstream with "greater seriousness and viewership".

There aren't any celebrations pre-planned, for the captain wants the joy to unfold naturally. Like the happy tears and tightest hugs from Thursday night that currently flood the social media.

"I'm a very emotional person - I cry at everything. Maybe yesterday was the first time on television, but my teammates have seen me cry in the dressing room many times - even after wins, not just losses. I am the first person to cry. As a player, these moments are very important. To beat a team like Australia, a giant that has always done well on the world stage, it was not an easy thing to perform [and stay] mentally strong in front of them. But overcoming that hurdle was something very special to all of us. I always tell my team that you don't need to control your emotions: if you feel like crying, cry."

Whether the Indian dugout will see more happy tears or unbridled joy, should they cross the final frontier, is something upto the individuals who have "already visualised in our dreams many times". But Harmanpreet was absolutely sure that there's "no bigger motivation than a home World Cup final" for her side to produce their best cricket.

"We know pretty well how it feels to lose, but we are really looking forward to the feeling of winning a final now," she said, confident in her team and in her own leadership. "Hopefully it's going to be a special day for us tomorrow. We've worked really hard, and now it's about getting everything [right] together."