Post by : Rameen Ariff

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met the triumphant Indian women’s cricket team at his residence, commending their “remarkable resilience and comeback” in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. The meeting came two days after the team secured its maiden 50-over World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in Navi Mumbai.

The Prime Minister highlighted the team’s mental strength and determination in overcoming a challenging phase marked by three consecutive losses against South Africa, Australia, and England. He also acknowledged the social media trolling the players faced and praised them for turning adversity into a historic victory.

“A spectacular win by the Indian team in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Finals. Their performance in the final was marked by great skill and confidence. This historic win will motivate future champions to take up sports,” Modi had posted on X after India’s final triumph.

Players Recall Journey and Motivation

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur recalled the team’s first meeting with Modi after the 2017 World Cup, noting that this time they arrived with a trophy. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana said the Prime Minister’s words were a huge source of motivation.

Deepti Sharma, Player of the Tournament, mentioned her long-awaited meeting with Modi, recalling his encouragement from 2017 to keep working hard to achieve their dreams. The Prime Minister also discussed memorable moments from the team’s journey, including Harleen Deol’s spectacular catch against England in 2021 and Harmanpreet pocketing the final match ball.

In a lighter moment, Modi joked about Amanjot Kaur’s juggling catch in the final, making the team laugh. He also encouraged players to spread the Fit India message and inspire young girls across the country to take up sports and maintain physical fitness.

A Watershed Moment for Women’s Cricket

India’s triumph marked a historic milestone for women’s cricket, establishing the team as only the fourth side in history to lift the ODI World Cup title. The victory was the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and overcoming near-misses, making it a defining moment for Indian cricket.

While the team now disperses to their respective hometowns, Shafali Verma will lead the North Zone in the upcoming Inter-Zonal T20 meet in Nagaland. Modi’s meeting underscored the growing recognition and support for women’s cricket in India, inspiring future generations of athletes.

#Sports News