Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the Indian women’s cricket team to his official residence in New Delhi on November 5 to celebrate their first-ever ICC ODI World Cup win in 2025. He congratulated Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her team for their incredible comeback after facing three straight losses and heavy criticism online. Modi praised their mental strength, teamwork, and determination, appreciating how they turned early struggles into a historic triumph — defeating Australia in the semi-final and South Africa in the final to become world champions.
Full List of Players Who Spoke and What they said
During their meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several players from the Indian women’s cricket team shared their thoughts and experiences after winning the World Cup:
- Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain): She remembered meeting Modi back in 2017 when the team didn’t have a trophy and said it felt great to return this time as World Cup champions. She also asked the Prime Minister how he manages to always stay focused on the present.
- Smriti Mandhana (Vice-captain): She said Modi’s encouraging words were a big source of motivation for the entire team and would inspire many young girls across the country.
- Deepti Sharma (Player of the Tournament): She shared that she had been eager to meet Modi again since 2017 and recalled his earlier advice to keep working hard toward their dreams. She smiled when Modi mentioned her “Jai Shri Ram” Instagram bio and Hanuman tattoo, saying those symbols give her strength.
- Harleen Deol: She lightened the mood by jokingly asking Modi about his skincare routine, which made everyone laugh. Modi replied that it’s the love and blessings of the people that keep him glowing.
- Kranti Gaud: She mentioned that her brother is a huge fan of Modi, and he warmly invited her family to meet him someday.
- Amanjot Kaur: Modi playfully mentioned her juggling catch in the final, calling it one of the most memorable moments of the tournament.
- Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues: Both had emotional and lively interactions with the Prime Minister, though specific details of their conversations were not shared.
Prime Minister Massage to the Team
Modi praised the team’s historic win, saying it reflected the growing confidence, strength, and achievements of women in India. He called their victory a turning point for women’s cricket and a moment that inspired the entire nation. Modi also encouraged the players to keep promoting the Fit India movement and to use their success to motivate the next generation of young athletes.