Argus News - Year of Redemption: Indian Women’s Team Joins ‘The 2025 Title Trend’

Bhubaneswar, Nov 3: In the world of sports, few moments rival the euphoria of a long-awaited championship. And in 2025, fans across the globe were treated to a rare phenomenon — a cascade of long-standing trophy droughts coming to an end. From cricket to football and beyond, this year has been a celebration of perseverance, redemption, and long-overdue glory.

Teams like South Africa men’s cricket team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Hobart Hurricanes, Paris Saint Germain, Crystal Palace, Bologna FC, Tottenham Hotspur, and Newcastle United FC have ended their trophy draught.  And now, the Indian Women’s Cricket team has joined the party after their triumph at the World Cup on Sunday.

Dreams of the Indian women’s cricket team finally became a reality at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday as they lifted their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup trophy, scripting a story of resilience and redemption.

Also read: Dawn at Midnight: A New Chapter in Indian Cricket

From the heartbreak of 2005 (vs Australia) to the agonising loss in 2017 (vs England), Indian eves have walked a path filled with near-misses. But this time, they successfully cleared the final hurdle.

However, they are not the first team to end the trophy drought this year. Let’s take a look at some trophy-drought-ending events…

No.18 Turns Lucky

One of the most talked-about triumphs came from the Indian Premier League, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally lifted their maiden IPL trophy. After 17 seasons of heartbreak, near-misses, and relentless fan support, No.18 turns lucky for the team. Coincidentally Virat Kohli’s jersey number is 18 and it was 18th season of IPL. Kohli, long the face of the franchise, basked in the glory as the team silenced years of “no-cups-for-you” jokes.

Shedding ‘Chokers’ Tag

In international cricket, South Africa shed their infamous “chokers” tag by winning the World Test Championship (WTC). Their victory over Australia marked their first ICC title since the 1998 Knockout Cup — now ICC Champions Trophy. Kagiso Rabada’s fiery spells and Aiden Markram’s composed knock were instrumental in this historic win.


Hurricane-Like Treat

Hobart Hurricanes finally stormed to glory, clinching their maiden Big Bash League title in 2025. BBL was introduced in 2011 by Cricket Australia, replacing the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash. After years of heartbreaks, the Tasmanian side delivered a flawless campaign, crowned by a splendid win over Sydney Thunder in the final. Purple pride swept across Hobart as fans celebrated a long-awaited triumph that rewrote the franchise’s history forever.

Continental Success at Last

Football fans also had their share of joy. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), despite years of domestic dominance, finally tasted continental success clinching the UEFA Champions League title for the first time. And they did it in style — a 5-0 win over Inter Milan. With a star-studded lineup and a renewed tactical approach, PSG overcame their European curse, proving that persistence pays off.

Ending 120-Year Wait

Crystal Palace shattered a 120-year wait, lifting their first-ever FA Cup in a dramatic Wembley finale against a mighty Manchester City. Tears flowed, chants echoed, and South London erupted in joy. For a club that had come close before — notably in the 1990 and 2016 FA Cup finals — this victory was more than just silverware. It was redemption. It was history. It was a reward for decades of unwavering support and resilience.

First Since 1974

Bologna FC ended a 51-year wait, lifting the Coppa Italia in a thrilling final against AC Milan. The historic win reignited pride across Emilia-Romagna, as fans celebrated a long-lost glory. From 1974 to 2025, the journey was long, but the joy was timeless. Bologna’s red and blue now shine with champion’s gold.

70-Year Barren Run Ends

After 70 years of waiting, Newcastle United finally lifted the EFL Cup — beating Liverpool 2-1, ending a decades-long domestic trophy drought. St. James’ Park erupted as black-and-white confetti rained down. The Magpies’ triumph wasn’t just a win — it was a revival, a reward for generations of unwavering support and northern pride.

Sigh of Relief

Tottenham Hotspur finally ended their 17-year silverware drought by lifting the Europa League trophy in a thrilling final against Manchester United. The roar of Spurs fans echoed across Europe as the long wait came to an end. From near-misses to glory, this triumph marked a new dawn for the North London faithful.

These victories weren’t isolated. Across sports, 2025 saw a pattern — teams that had long been denied their moment in the sun finally stepping into it. The year became a symbol of hope for fans who had waited decades.

The emotional weight of these wins was palpable. For RCB, it was the culmination of nearly two decades of unwavering fan loyalty. For South Africa, it was a national catharsis, a release from years of painful near-misses. And for PSG, it was validation on the biggest stage in club football. And so was for Hurricanes, Palace, Newcastle, Bologna and Tottenham.

What made 2025 truly special was the diversity of these triumphs. They spanned continents, sports, and cultures — yet shared a common thread: the end of waiting. These wins weren’t just about silverware; they were about rewriting narratives, inspiring future generations, and proving that no drought lasts forever.

As the year draws to a close, the stories of these teams will be retold countless times. And for fans who’ve endured years of heartbreak, 2025 will forever be remembered as the year their dreams came true.