PM Modi Meets World Champion Indian Women’s Team, Praises Their “Mental Toughness”

NEW DELHI – Three days after their historic 52-run victory over South Africa in the Women’s ODI World Cup final, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her triumphant team were hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. The meeting served as the nation’s primary celebration of the long-awaited world title, transitioning the team from the electric atmosphere of DY Patil Stadium to the highest office in the country.

The World Cup trophy, held proudly by the players, took center stage as the team met with the Prime Minister, marking a formal state recognition of a campaign that has powerfully shifted the focus of Indian cricket towards its women athletes.

Following a formal invitation from the Prime Minister’s Office to the BCCI, the World Cup-winning squad, support staff, and senior cricket officials arrived at the Prime Minister’s residence on Wednesday evening. The team had flown into Delhi on Tuesday to a warm reception from fans and officials before their landmark visit.

Security was heightened as the team bus, carrying players like Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Shafali Verma, and Jemimah Rodrigues, made its way to the venue. Inside, Prime Minister Modi personally congratulated the players and staff for converting years of near-misses into India’s first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup title.

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The Prime Minister praised the team’s remarkable comeback in the tournament after facing three consecutive defeats, highlighting their mental fortitude. During the interaction, Captain Harmanpreet Kaur poignantly recalled meeting the Prime Minister in 2017 without the coveted trophy.

The Prime Minister posed for official photographs with the squad and their trophy, creating images destined to become iconic in Indian cricket history. While an open-top bus parade did not take place, the symbolism of the champions being honored at India’s most significant political address was powerful and unmistakable. For Harmanpreet’s squad, the journey from the dressing room huddles to the corridors of power in New Delhi completes a historic and transformative chapter.