Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently hosted the victorious Indian women’s cricket team at his residence following their triumph in the ICC Women’s World Cup. This celebration marked a significant moment for the team, which demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the tournament.
During the meeting, PM Modi extended his heartfelt congratulations to the players for their win, highlighting their impressive comeback after facing initial setbacks in the competition. The players expressed their gratitude by presenting Modi with a signed jersey emblazoned with ‘Namo 1’, symbolizing their appreciation for his support. Also in attendance was Mithun Manhas, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Harmanpreet Kaur, the team’s captain, reflected on her past encounter with the Prime Minister in 2017 after a narrow defeat to England in the World Cup final. This time, meeting with the trophy in hand felt particularly special for the team, who expressed a desire to visit Modi more frequently in the future.
Smriti Mandhana, the vice-captain and standout performer with 434 runs in the tournament, praised Modi as a motivating figure for the team. She emphasized the growing success of women in various fields, attributing some of this progress to the Prime Minister’s influence and initiatives.
Deepti Sharma, recognized as the ‘Player of the Tournament’ for her dual achievements of scoring 215 runs and taking 22 wickets, eagerly looked forward to this meeting. She recalled Modi’s encouragement in 2017 to pursue their dreams relentlessly, underscoring the motivation he provided the team in their journey.
In a lighter moment, PM Modi engaged with the team by recalling the remarkable catch made by Amanjot Kaur, which played a pivotal role in dismissing South Africa’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt. This catch, despite a few initial mishaps, has become a highlight of the tournament, showcasing the team’s determination and focus under pressure.