PM Modi Meets India’s Women’s ODI World Cup Champions, Hails Team’s Resilience

India’s Women’s ODI World Cup-winning team received a special accolade from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, just three days after their historic 52-run victory over South Africa in the final. The team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, visited the Prime Minister’s residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, bringing the trophy and their medals into the nation’s highest office of recognition.

For the players, the journey from DY Patil Stadium’s electrifying atmosphere to the formal corridors of Delhi’s political center marked a symbolic celebration of their achievement, elevating women’s cricket to new national prominence.

PM Modi welcomed the squad, support staff, and senior BCCI officials, praising their mental toughness and ability to bounce back after early setbacks in the tournament. “The team displayed extraordinary resilience and skill throughout the World Cup, turning challenges into a maiden World Cup triumph for India,” Modi remarked.

The squad, including stars like Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and others, arrived in Delhi on Tuesday and were greeted by fans and officials at their hotel. On Wednesday, the team made its way to the Prime Minister’s residence amid tight security, with the trophy taking center stage in photographs that capture this historic moment.

Harmanpreet Kaur recalled meeting the Prime Minister previously in 2017, before lifting the trophy, and reflected on how far the team had come since. The visit provided a unique platform to honour the players’ dedication and achievements in front of national leadership, cementing their status as icons in Indian cricket.

While there was no grand open-top parade, the symbolism of the champions carrying their World Cup trophy into the heart of New Delhi was unmistakable. The event concluded a whirlwind 72 hours of celebrations that included receptions, media interactions, and public attention, underscoring the team’s journey from stadium triumphs to national recognition.

This meeting not only celebrated India’s first Women’s ODI World Cup win but also highlighted the growing prominence and impact of women’s cricket in the country, setting the stage for future generations of players.