New Delhi, November 6: In a meeting that exemplified grace, inspiration and national pride, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the victorious Indian women’s cricket team at his residence on Tuesday evening. The champions, fresh from their stunning triumph over South Africa in Sunday’s final, spent an emotional hour sharing their journey with the country’s leader.
The timing couldn’t have been more auspicious. As the nation celebrated Dev Deepawali and Gurpurab, the women in blue brought their own light the ICC Women’s World Cup trophy, something that had eluded Indian cricket for years despite coming heartbreakingly close.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s voice trembled with emotion as she recalled their previous encounter in 2017.
We met you without a trophy back then,”
she told the Prime Minister.
Today, presenting this to you feels like completing an unfinished story.”
The weight of those eight years the near-misses, the criticism, the unwavering determination hung in the air.
What unfolded was less a formal felicitation and more an intimate conversation. Modi wanted to hear their stories, not deliver speeches. And the players obliged, painting a picture of resilience that extended far beyond boundary ropes.
Smriti Mandhana revealed how a single answer from the Prime Minister during that 2017 meeting had stayed with her through multiple World Cup heartbreaks. His advice on handling expectations became her anchor during the darkest moments.
When we saw women at ISRO launches and leading national achievements, we felt we too could carry that responsibility,”
she shared, her words reflecting how representation ripples across fields.
The tournament itself had tested their mettle. After losing three consecutive matches, trolls descended like vultures. But coach Amol Mazumdar later revealed what kept them together: his support staff had told him they didn’t need photos with royalty they wanted this moment with India’s Prime Minister. That belief sustained them through the storm.
Jemimah Rodrigues articulated what defined this team:
We’re not champions because we won every match. We’re champions because we rose when it mattered most.”
Her words captured a truth that resonates beyond cricket success isn’t measured by an unblemished record but by the courage to stand up after falling.
The lighter moments were equally revealing. When Harleen Kaur Deol cheekily asked about Modi’s skincare routine, the room erupted in laughter. His modest response crediting the affection of millions turned a playful question into a reflection on gratitude and service.
Deepti Sharma spoke about her Hanuman tattoo and how faith gives her strength. Shafali Verma shared how her father’s unfulfilled cricketing dreams found wings through her. Kranti Gaud told of practicing with boys using tennis balls before getting her breakthrough. Uma Chetry proudly became the first woman from Northeast India to play in a World Cup.
Each story was unique, yet they wove together into a larger narrative about breaking barriers, supporting each other, and believing when the world doubted.
But the Prime Minister had something more to ask.
What does the country expect from you now?”
he questioned. The answer was clear to inspire the next generation. Modi proposed a concrete plan: each player should visit three schools annually, spending time with students who would remember these interactions for life.
He also urged them to become ambassadors for the Fit India Movement, particularly in combating obesity among young girls.
When players like you speak about reducing oil consumption by ten percent or staying fit, it creates real impact,” he emphasized.
Harmanpreet kept the final ball from the match in her bag a tangible memory of divine timing when the catch came to her after years of waiting. But perhaps the more significant moment was watching sixteen women sit with their nation’s leader, not as ceremonial guests but as equals who had earned their place through blood, sweat, and unwavering faith in each other.
As Modi concluded by saying,
Together, we must take the country forward,”
it was clear this meeting wasn’t just about cricket. It was about recognizing the power of women who dare to dream and the responsibility that comes with inspiring millions watching from the sidelines, hoping for their turn to shine.
Also read | PM Modi Felicitates Women’s Cricket Team, Says ‘They Taught Us How to Win From Defeat’
