New Delhi— Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India’s Women’s World Cup-winning cricket team at his residence in New Delhi, congratulating them on their historic triumph and commending their determination and teamwork.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, recalling her previous visit to the Prime Minister’s residence after the team’s 2017 runner-up finish, said, “The last time we met you, the trophy was missing — but we’ve brought it to you today.” Modi praised the players for their perseverance, saying their victory had made the entire nation proud.
Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana expressed gratitude for Modi’s continued encouragement, saying, “In 2017, you motivated us well. You’re an inspiration not just in cricket but in every field.” Harmanpreet added that the team’s win was a result of collective effort, with every player contributing to the triumph.
Reflecting on their mindset before the final, Harmanpreet said the team had an instinct they would win. “We all felt confident and positive, just like you handle situations calmly,” she told the PM, explaining that she kept the winning ball as a personal memento.
Modi lauded the team’s comeback after three early defeats in the tournament. “You were trolled badly, but now the same fans are celebrating you. That’s the beauty of sports and resilience,” he said. Batter Jemimah Rodrigues shared that the players supported each other through ups and downs, while Kranti Gaud revealed that laughter and light moments helped them release pressure — a task often led by Jemimah and Harleen Deol.
Harleen, known for lifting the team’s spirits, made the interaction more lively by asking the PM about his “skin routine,” drawing laughter from everyone. Modi, amused, replied, “I never thought about this,” while spinner Sneh Rana quipped, “It must be the love of the people that makes you glow.”
Coach Amol Muzumdar also spoke about his journey with the team, joking that the players’ endless questions had turned his hair grey. He thanked the PM for including the entire support staff in the meeting, saying, “They have played like real champions. This trophy is a result of two years of hard work.”
Modi also playfully mentioned Amanjot Kaur’s fumbled catch in the final, saying, “While catching, you must have been seeing the ball — but after catching, you must have been seeing the trophy.”
Player of the Tournament Deepti Sharma, whom Modi fondly referred to as “DSP,” said she had waited to meet him again since 2017. When the PM mentioned her “Jai Shri Ram” Instagram bio and Lord Hanuman tattoo, Deepti smiled and said both give her strength.
Star batter Shafali Verma, heading next to Nagaland to lead the North Zone team, shared that her father inspired her to pursue cricket over wrestling, despite hailing from a wrestling background.
The World Cup-winning team, which defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, arrived in the capital on Tuesday evening to a rousing welcome.
