Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Indian women's cricket team in New Delhi on Wednesday, where they gifted him a special signed jersey after winning the Women's World Cup 2025. The team defeated South Africa by 52 runs in Navi Mumbai to claim their first ICC title. Modi praised the players' struggles and shared inspirational words.
The Indian women's cricket team won the Women's World Cup 2025 by defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final played in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, marking India's first ICC trophy. Under captain Harmanpreet Kaur's leadership, this historic victory came after years of hard work and setbacks.
The team arrived in Delhi on Wednesday evening via a special Star Air charter flight (S5-8328), with heightened security in the capital. They received a grand welcome at the Taj Palace Hotel with rose petals, and players like Jemimah Rodrigues, Radha Yadav, and Sneh Rana danced to dhol beats amid cheers from staff and onlookers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the team at his residence on Lok Kalyan Marg. He noted his absence from the final but said he celebrated the win with millions of fans and congratulated them on Twitter. The team gifted him a signed jersey inscribed 'Namo 1', symbolizing respect and gratitude.
During the meeting, Modi praised the players' spirit and struggles. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur recalled their 2017 meeting without a trophy and smiled, 'This time we met with the trophy, and we want such occasions to happen again and again.' Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana said Modi's words are always inspirational and credited him for encouraging women's success across fields.
Tournament's best player Deepti Sharma, eagerly awaiting the meeting, shared that Modi's 2017 advice—'Keep working hard, one day the dream will come true'—had materialized. Modi mentioned Deepti's 'Jai Shri Ram' Instagram post and her Hanuman tattoo, to which she replied that her faith gives her inner strength. The interaction left a lasting impression on the team.