PM congratulates the Team for their outstanding performance in winning the trophy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 champions at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi yesterday. The Indian team won against South Africa in the finals on Sunday, 2nd November 2025. Prime Minister remarked that it is a very significant day, as it marks both Dev Deepawali and Gurpurab and also conveyed his best wishes to all present.
Expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister, the Coach of the team, Shri Amol Mazumdar stated that it was an honour and privilege to meet him. He highlighted the hard work of the players as a campaign led by the daughters of the nation, praising their exceptional dedication over the past two years. He noted that the girls played every practice session with remarkable intensity and energy, and affirmed that their hard work had borne fruit.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur recalled meeting the Prime Minister in 2017 without a trophy, and expressed deep honour in now presenting the trophy they had worked towards for years. She said the Prime Minister had doubled their joy and that it was a matter of great pride. She added that their aim is to keep meeting him in the future and continue taking team photographs with him.
Shri Modi acknowledged their achievement, stating that they had truly accomplished something great. He emphasized that cricket in India is not merely a sport but has become a part of people’s lives. He observed that when cricket goes well, the nation feels uplifted, and even a slight setback shakes the entire country. He noted how the team faced trolling after losing three consecutive matches.
Harmanpreet Kaur reiterated that in 2017, they had met the Prime Minister after losing the final, but he had motivated them to give their best whenever the next opportunity came. She expressed happiness at finally winning the trophy and having the opportunity to speak with him again.
Prime Minister invited Smriti Mandhana to share her thoughts. Smriti Mandhana recalled that in 2017, the team had not brought home a trophy, but she remembered asking the Prime Minister a question about dealing with expectations. She said his answer stayed with her and helped the team immensely over the next six to seven years, despite several heartbreaking World Cup losses. She remarked that it felt like destiny that India would host its first Women’s World Cup. She added that the Prime Minister has always been an inspiration, especially in the way women are now visible in every field—from ISRO launches to other national achievements—which she described as deeply motivational and empowering for them to perform better and inspire other girls. Shri Modi responded that the entire nation is watching and feeling proud, and that he genuinely wanted to hear their experiences. Smriti Mandhana said the best part of the campaign was that every player could go home and share their story, as no one’s contribution was any less. She reiterated that the Prime Minister’s earlier advice on handling expectations had always stayed in her mind, and his calm and composed demeanor was itself a source of inspiration.
Jemimah Rodrigues reflected on the team’s journey, stating that when they lost three matches, it became evident that a team is not defined by how many times it wins, but by how it rises after a fall. She affirmed that this team did that best, which is why it is a champion team. She further highlighted the unity within the team, calling it the best she has ever seen. She shared that whenever any player performed well, everyone celebrated as if they themselves had scored the runs or taken the wickets. Similarly, whenever someone was down, there was always a teammate who would place a hand on their shoulder and say, “Don’t worry, you’ll do it in the next match.” She further added that this spirit of support and togetherness truly defined the team.
Sneh Rana agreed with Jemimah Rodrigues, stating that while everyone stands together in moments of success, it is even more important to support each other during times of downfall. She emphasized that as a team and as a unit, they had decided that no matter what happens, they would never leave each other’s side and would always uplift one another. She affirmed that this was the best quality of their team.
Kranti Gaud added that Harmanpreet Kaur always encouraged everyone to keep smiling. She shared that if anyone appeared even slightly nervous, the team’s approach was to keep smiling so that seeing each other smile would help everyone stay cheerful and confident. Prime Minister asked if there was someone in the team who kept everyone laughing, to which Kranti responded that Jemimah Rodrigues played that role. Jemimah added that Harleen Kaur Deol also played an important part in bringing the team together.
Harleen Kaur Deol shared that she believes every team should have someone who keeps the atmosphere light. She said that whenever she notices someone sitting alone or feels she has some free time, she makes an effort to engage with others in small ways. She expressed that it brings her joy when people around her are happy.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi asked if the team had done anything after arriving. Harleen Kaur Deol humorously shared that the others had indicated her for being too loud and told her to stay quiet. She then asked the Prime Minister about his skincare routine, saying he glows remarkably. The Prime Minister responded modestly, saying he had not paid much attention to that subject. A player remarked that it is the love of crores of Indians that makes him glow. The Prime Minister agreed, stating that such affection from society is indeed a great strength. He noted that he has completed 25 years in government, including as Head of Government, and that receiving such blessings even after such a long tenure has a lasting impact.
The Coach commented on the variety of questions being asked and the different personalities in the team. He shared that he has been their Head Coach for two years. He narrated a story from June in England, where they met King Charles. Due to protocol restrictions, only 20 people were allowed, so the support staff could not attend. All players and three skilled coaches were present. He told the support staff that he was extremely sorry, as the protocol only allowed 20 people. In response, the support staff said they didn’t need that photograph—they wanted one with Prime Minister Modi on 4 or 5 November. Today, that wish was fulfilled.
Harmanpreet Kaur shared that there were moments when it felt like setbacks were happening only to them, but those struggles were written to make them mentally and physically stronger. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi asked Harmanpreet what emotions she felt while sharing this, noting that it was deeply inspiring. The player responded that there was always a belief that one day they would lift the trophy, and that special feeling was present from day one in the team. The Prime Minister acknowledged the recurring challenges they faced and praised their courage and ability to instill confidence in others despite adversity. Harmanpreet credited all team members, highlighting their self-belief and consistent improvement in every tournament. She mentioned that over the past two years, they had worked extensively on mental strength, accepting that the past could not be changed. The Prime Minister remarked that this journey had taught them to live in the present. She agreed and said that was exactly why she had asked him what extra he does to inspire his team members—so they could strengthen their belief in staying present. She further affirmed that the guidance from the Prime Minister and their coaches had put them on the right path.
The Prime Minister then asked Deepti Sharma about her Dy Superintendent of Police (DSP) role during the day, joking that she must have been controlling everything. She replied that they had simply waited to meet him and enjoyed the moment. She recalled that in 2017, the Prime Minister had told her that a true player is one who learns to rise and move forward from failure. She said that Shri Modi’s words have always motivated her, and she regularly listens to his speeches. She added that his calm and composed handling of situations, even when many voices are raised, personally helps her in her game.
Shri Modi asked Deepti about her Hanuman Ji tattoo and how it helps her. She replied that she places more belief in Hanuman Ji than in herself, and whenever she faces difficulties, invoking his name gives her strength to overcome them. The Prime Minister noted that she also writes “Jai Shri Ram” on her Instagram account, to which she affirmed. He remarked that faith plays a significant role in life, offering the comfort of surrendering to a higher power. He then asked about her assertiveness on the field and whether there was truth to the perception of her dominance. She responded that it wasn’t exactly like that, but admitted there was a bit of fear associated with her throws, and teammates often joked to go easy. She appreciated that the Prime Minister personally asked about her tattoo and knew her Instagram tagline.
The Prime Minister then asked Harmanpreet Kaur about the ball she kept in her pocket after the win—whether it was a planned gesture or guided by someone. Harmanpreet replied that it was divine planning, as she hadn’t expected the final ball and catch to come to her, but when it did, it felt like the culmination of years of effort and waiting, and she decided to keep it. She added that the ball is still in her bag.
The Prime Minister turned to Shafali Verma, noting that she hails from Rohtak, a place known for producing wrestlers, and asked how she ended up in cricket. Shafali responded that wrestling and kabaddi are indeed prominent in Rohtak, but her father played a major role in her cricket journey. The Prime Minister asked if she had ever played traditional akhada sports, and she confirmed that she had not. She shared that her father had aspired to be a cricketer but couldn’t pursue the dream, so he passed on his passion to his children. She and her brother used to watch matches together, which sparked her deep interest in cricket and led her to become a cricketer.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi recalled seeing her smile before taking a catch and asked about the reason. She replied that she was mentally calling the ball to come to her, and when it did, she couldn’t help but smile. The Prime Minister remarked that it seemed she was so confident the ball wouldn’t go anywhere else. She responded that had it gone elsewhere, she would have dived for it.
When asked to describe her emotions at that moment, Jemimah Rodrigues explained that it was during the semi-finals, and the team had often lost narrowly to Australia. Her sole focus was to win the match and play till the end. She emphasized that the team kept saying they needed one long partnership to turn the game, and that belief led to a collective team effort. Though she scored a century, she credited the win to contributions from Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti, Richa, and Amanjot, whose impactful innings made the victory possible. She affirmed that everyone believed the team could do it—and they did.
Jemimah added that the Prime Minister was keen to know their experience of winning the World Cup, how it felt after losing three matches, and how they bounced back.
Kranti Gaud shared that winning the World cup was personally a proud feeling for her as well as for the people of her village. She shared that whenever she bowled, Harmanpreet Kaur would tell her she was the one to take the first wicket, which motivated her to deliver. Kranti also spoke about her elder brother’s love for cricket and admiration for the Prime Minister. Her brother couldn’t join an academy due to their father losing his job, but continued playing informally. Inspired by him, she began playing with boys using tennis balls. Her cricket journey formally began during a local leather ball tournament—the MLA Trophy—where she was asked to play in place of an unwell teammate. Despite her long hair, she was invited to join the team, and in her first match, she took two wickets and scored 25 runs, earning the Player of the Match award. That marked the beginning of her cricket career.
Prime Minister Modi noted that Shafali Verma got the opportunity to play in the last two games. Shafali confirmed, stating that she had been playing domestic cricket before being called up. She acknowledged that what happened with Pratika was unfortunate and not something any player would wish upon another. However, when she was called up, she showed confidence, and the entire team placed their trust in her. She was determined to help the team win, by any means necessary.
Pratika Rawal shared that after her injury, many in the team expressed their desire to win the World Cup for Pratika. Though she wasn’t officially in the squad and was the 16th player, she was brought on stage in a wheelchair and given full respect and honour. She described the team as a family, where every player is treated equally, and when such a unit plays together, it becomes very difficult to defeat them. She affirmed that the team truly deserved to win the final. The Prime Minister agreed, emphasizing that team spirit is crucial—not just on the field but also off it. He said that spending time together builds a bond, and knowing each other’s weaknesses and strengths helps in covering and supporting one another.
Shri Modi then remarked that one particular catch had become very famous. Amanjot Kaur responded that although she had taken many blinders before, none had gained such fame, and it felt good even after fumbling. The Prime Minister said that the catch became a turning point, and after taking it, she must have started seeing the trophy. Amanjot replied that she indeed saw the trophy in that catch, and was overwhelmed by the number of people who jumped on her in celebration.
The Prime Minister mentioned that Suryakumar Yadav had taken a similar catch previously and recalled retweeting a catch from one of the players, which he had found impressive.
Harleen Kaur Deol shared a memory from England, where they had been practicing such catches for a long time. She recalled missing a catch during fielding, after which Harmanpreet Kaur scolded her, saying that good fielders should not miss such catches. Jemimah, who was standing behind her, reassured her and said the catch was possible for her. She then promised to take a good catch within the next two overs, and right after that, the ball came and she fulfilled her promise. Shri Modi then jokingly remarked that the challenge had worked.
Prime Minister remarked that Richa Ghosh always seems to win wherever she plays. She responded that she wasn’t sure, but noted that Richa had won trophies in Under-19, senior-level, and WPL tournaments, and had hit many long sixes. She further shared that during her batting, especially while hitting sixes, she felt immense trust from teammates like Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana. The entire team believed in her ability to deliver in high-pressure situations where runs were needed but balls were few. That trust gave her confidence and reflected in her body language throughout every match.
Another player, Radha Yadav recalled that despite losing three matches, the best part was the unity in defeat—everyone backed each other and communicated openly, with genuine and pure support. She believed that this collective spirit is why they were blessed with the trophy. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi responded that it was their hard work that earned them the victory. He asked how she prepared herself for such performance. The player explained that the team had been playing quality cricket for a long time and had prepared for every situation—whether in terms of fitness, fielding, or skills. She emphasized that staying together made things easier, while working alone would have been very difficult. The Prime Minister mentioned hearing that she had spent her first prize money to support her father. She confirmed this, adding that her family had faced challenges, but her father and mother never let those difficulties affect her journey.
Sneh Rana spoke of years of hard work and shared how she regularly discussed strategies with their bowling coach, Aavishkar Salvi, to tackle specific batters. These strategies were coordinated with the captain, vice-captain, and head coach, and then replicated on the field. While not every match went as planned, they stayed motivated to improve in the next opportunity.
Uma Chetry admitted feeling overwhelmed speaking in front of the Prime Minister. He encouraged her to speak whatever came to mind. She then shared that her debut match was during the World Cup, and like every debut she had, it rained that day. She only kept wickets, but was extremely happy because debuting for India in a World Cup was a huge moment. She was excited to play for the country and determined to give her best to help India win. She felt most grateful that the entire team trusted her and constantly supported her with guidance and encouragement. The Coach highlighted that she is the first girl from the North East to play for India. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi acknowledged that she hails from Assam
Interacting with Renuka Singh Thakur, Prime Minister asked if she had seen peacocks upon arriving. The player replied that she had seen another peacock and shared that the only thing she could draw was a peacock, which she had sketched and kept. She added that she couldn’t draw anything else and was discouraged from attempting a bird next. The Prime Minister expressed deep respect for her mother, acknowledging her immense contribution in raising her daughter as a single parent and helping her progress through a difficult life. He asked the player to convey his personal greetings to her mother.
Arundathi Reddy, interacting with the Prime Minister, shared that her mother had sent a message for the Prime Minister, calling him her hero. She said her mother had called four to five times asking when she would meet her hero.
The Prime Minister asked what the players felt the country now expects from them after their success on the field. Smriti responded that every time they prepare for a World Cup, they believe that winning it would create a massive impact not just in women’s cricket but across women’s sports in India. She said it would start a revolution, and the team has the capacity to drive that change.
The Prime Minister remarked that they have great motivational power due to their success. He suggested that after returning home, they should visit the schools they studied in and spend a day interacting with students. He said the children would ask many questions and remember them for life, and that the experience would also motivate the players. Shri Modi then proposed selecting three schools and visiting one each year, adding that it would motivate the player as well as the students.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of contributing to the Fit India Movement, especially in addressing obesity. He advised reducing oil consumption by 10% at the time of purchase and said that hearing such messages from the players would have a strong impact. He encouraged them to advocate for Fit India, especially for daughters, and contribute actively.
Shri Modi expressed joy at having had the opportunity to interact with them, noting that while he had met some players before, many were meeting him for the first time. He said he always looks forward to meeting them and wished them good health.
Smriti Mandhana responded that they would definitely remember his words and pass on the message whenever they get the opportunity. She added that the entire team is always ready to support such messages and would come whenever called.
The Prime Minister concluded by saying that together, we must take the country forward and extended his best wishes to all.
