Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met India’s ICC Women’s World Cup-winning team at his official residence, Lok Kalyan Marg, congratulating them on their historic triumph and commending their determination in overcoming challenges during the tournament.
The meeting, filled with laughter and camaraderie, went viral on social media, capturing PM Modi’s light-hearted interaction with the newly crowned world champions. The Indian team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, ended their long wait for an ICC title after defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.
Dressed in formal attire with their winner’s medals, the players received praise from PM Modi for their remarkable comeback after facing early setbacks and online trolling during the league stage. The Prime Minister lauded their tenacity and team spirit, calling their victory an inspiration for young athletes across the country.
During the interaction, Captain Harmanpreet Kaur recalled their earlier meeting with PM Modi in 2017 following the World Cup final loss to England. “At that time, we had met you without the trophy, but today, it’s an honour to present it to you,” she said, expressing gratitude for his continuous encouragement.
Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana echoed similar sentiments, crediting the Prime Minister’s motivational words for inspiring the team over the years. “You’ve always been an inspiration for us. Women today are excelling in every field, and your support has played a major role in that,” she added.
PM Modi reminisced about memorable cricketing moments, including Harleen Deol’s iconic 2021 catch against England and Harmanpreet’s gesture of pocketing the match ball after the final. He also joked about Amanjot Kaur’s juggling catch during the tournament, saying, “While catching, you must have been seeing the ball, but after the catch, you were seeing the trophy.”
All-rounder Deepti Sharma spoke about how PM Modi’s earlier advice had motivated her to persevere. She also mentioned her tattoo of Lord Hanuman, saying it gave her strength, to which the Prime Minister responded appreciatively.
PM Modi encouraged the team to spread the message of Fit India, particularly among young girls, and emphasized the importance of health and physical fitness. He urged them to visit schools to inspire students and raise awareness about staying active.
Pratika Rawal, who missed the knockout stage due to injury, also attended the event in a wheelchair. PM Modi’s presence, she said, uplifted the entire squad’s spirit.
Soon after India’s victory, PM Modi had shared a congratulatory post on social media, praising the team’s performance and teamwork. “A spectacular win by the Indian team in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Finals. This historic win will motivate future champions to take up sports,” he wrote.
India’s World Cup victory and the team’s interaction with the Prime Minister mark a milestone moment for women’s cricket, symbolizing not only sporting excellence but also the growing recognition of women athletes in India.
