In a light-hearted exchange that blended humor with heartfelt appreciation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi fielded a playful query on his radiant appearance during a meeting with the triumphant Indian women’s cricket team. The gathering, held to honor their historic victory in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, turned into a moment of candid camaraderie when batter Harleen Deol remarked on the leader’s unmistakable “glow” and sought details about his skincare regimen.
The interaction unfolded on Wednesday, as Mr. Modi lauded the team’s “remarkable resilience and comeback” throughout the tournament. A video of the session aired on Thursday, capturing the room’s infectious laughter sparked by Ms. Deol’s cheeky question. “I never thought about this much,” the Prime Minister replied with a smile, addressing the players directly.
All-rounder Sneh Rana chimed in, attributing his vitality to “the love of his countrymen.” Mr. Modi agreed wholeheartedly, noting, “Of course it is. It is a huge source of strength. I have spent lots of years in the government.” He elaborated that despite the demands of public service, “the blessings keep coming in and it does have an effect on you eventually.”
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The occasion marked a triumphant return for the Indian squad, fresh off a commanding 52-run victory over South Africa in the final on Sunday at Navi Mumbai. This win secured their maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title, etching the team into history as only the fourth to claim the honor after years of dedication and close calls.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur reflected on the journey during the meeting, recalling their 2017 encounter with Mr. Modi—post a heartbreaking nine-run defeat to England in that final—when they arrived empty-handed. “I still remember when we met you in 2017. At that time, we did not come with a trophy. But it is a matter of great honour for us that this time, for something we have been working so hard for so many years, we have brought the trophy here,” she said. Looking ahead, she added, “Our aim is that we meet you again and again in the future and take photos with you and your team again and again.”
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Mr. Modi responded with praise, emphasizing cricket’s deep cultural resonance in India. “You have done a great job. In India, cricket is not just a game. In a way, it has become the life of the people of India. If there is good happening in cricket, India feels good and even if there is a little bit of wrong happening in cricket, the whole of India feels bad.”
Adding to the personal touches, the Prime Minister inquired about Player of the Tournament Deepti Sharma’s viral Hanuman tattoo, glimpsed on social media, further underscoring the blend of sport, spirit, and shared stories in the room.
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