Chandigarh: After a 52-year hiatus, the Indian women’s cricket team scripted history by defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the Women’s ODI World Cup final, claiming their first-ever ODI World Cup title.
Following the historic victory, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann connected with the team’s Punjab stars — Harmanpreet Kaur, Amanjot Kaur, and Harleen Deol — via video call to congratulate them on their achievement. Praising the players, CM Mann called them the “lionesses of Punjab”, adding that they will always be welcomed with open arms in the state and are a source of inspiration for the nation and the world.
“I am a cricket lover, and I saw how the timely catch you (Harmanpreet) took changed the course of the match and created history,” Mann said. He noted that the team had reached semi-finals in previous tournaments but had fallen short, emphasizing that this time, the squad “did wonders.”
Special mention was made of Amanjot Kaur’s spectacular catch of the South African captain, which the Chief Minister described as “not just a catch, but a trophy.” He added, “You have brought glory to Punjab along with your parents, and your performance is a matter of pride for the entire state.”
The victory marks a milestone in Indian women’s cricket, shining a spotlight on the growing strength of the sport in the country and the crucial contributions of players from Punjab.