It was a proud day for Indian sports as the India Women’s Cricket Team, fresh from their stunning triumph at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The meeting marked yet another recognition of a group of women who not only brought home cricket’s biggest prize but also inspired a generation of young girls to dream bigger. The President congratulated the players for their historic achievement and lauded them as role models for the youth.
During the interaction, President Murmu expressed how the team’s success symbolised the very spirit of India, unity in diversity. “This team reflects India. They represent different regions, different social backgrounds, and different circumstances, but they are one team, India,” she said with pride, while holding the glittering World Cup trophy alongside captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur on behalf of the team presented a signed India jersey to the President, capturing a moment of immense national pride.
The President’s words resonated deeply with the team’s journey, a story defined by perseverance, belief, and collective ambition. Over the past months, the Indian Women’s Cricket Team scripted one of the most memorable campaigns in the history of women’s cricket. From their opening match, India showcased remarkable consistency, defeating strong opponents like Australia in the Semi-Final and South Africa in the final with clinical performances. Their semi-final clash against defending champions Australia in DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, became an instant classic, a match that swung both ways until the final over, where India held their nerve to secure a dramatic win.
The grand finale at the same DY Patil Stadium was a night to remember. In front of a packed crowd and under soaring expectations, the team delivered a masterclass in composure and skill. Shafali Verma’s brilliant knock anchored India’s innings, while Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma’s fiery spell dismantled the South African team’s batting order, sealing a 52-run victory that sent the nation into jubilation.
India kicked off their campaign against Sri Lanka on September 30th in Guwahati, showcasing a commanding performance right from the start. They set a challenging target of 269/8 and dismantled the Sri Lankan batting lineup, bowling them out for just 211 runs. India secured a victory by 59 runs using the DLS method, with Deepti Sharma earning the Player of the Match award for her impressive all-round display, scoring 53 runs and taking 3 wickets for 54 runs.
In their next encounter, India faced arch-rivals Pakistan and registered another dominant win. Batting first, India was bowled out for 247 runs; however, Kranti Gaud’s remarkable bowling performance of 3 wickets for just 20 runs paved the way for an easy win. Following two successful matches, India faced a tough stretch, losing three close contests to formidable teams: South Africa by 3 wickets, Australia by 3 wickets, and England by just 4 runs. These narrow defeats were particularly disheartening, given the team’s considerable efforts.
India’s next game against New Zealand was a must-win to secure a place in the semi-finals. Rising to the challenge, India delivered an outstanding performance with Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal forming a record opening partnership of 212 runs. Mandhana scored 109 runs, while Rawal contributed an impressive 123 runs. Jemimah Rodrigues added a quick 76 runs off just 55 balls, leading India to an imposing total of 340 runs. New Zealand could only manage 271 runs in response, giving India a 53-run victory. India’s last league game against Bangladesh was unfortunately abandoned due to rain.
India’s next challenge was historic: chasing a daunting target of 338 runs against Australia to secure their final berth. Despite early setbacks, losing key batters like Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, India kept their composure to chase down the target, winning by 5 wickets. Jemimah Rodrigues played a pivotal role with a stellar knock of 127*, supported well by Harmanpreet Kaur’s solid innings of 89 runs. Contributions from Deepti Sharma (24 runs off 17 balls) and Richa Ghosh (26 runs off 16 balls) were also vital, completing the highest successful chase in Women’s ODI history.
In the final, India continued their exceptional form, both with the bat and the ball. They set a target of 299 runs, thanks to notable performances from Shafali Verma (87 runs off 78 balls) and Smriti Mandhana (45 runs), who combined for a crucial opening stand of 104 runs. Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh further bolstered the innings with scores of 58 and 34 runs, respectively. In the second innings, despite a century from Laura Wolvaardt, India held their nerve and clinched victory by 52 runs. Deepti Sharma starred with the ball, claiming a five-wicket haul (5 for 39), while Shafali Verma and Shree Charani also played critical roles in the bowling attack. India concluded the World Cup on a historic note, securing their first ICC trophy.
The 2025 triumph not only marked India’s first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup title but also reflected how far the women’s game has come in the country. The players’ dedication, the rise of domestic talent, and the growing fan support have made women’s cricket a central part of India’s sporting culture. The felicitation ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, after their meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 7, was therefore more than a formal event; it was a celebration of a new era.
As photos of President Murmu with the team went viral, the images captured the emotion of a nation united in pride. The journey from young girls playing in dusty fields to lifting the World Cup on home soil stands as a powerful symbol of progress and empowerment. India’s women cricketers have etched their names in golden letters, proving once again that when determination meets opportunity, history is made, and celebrated at the highest stage in the land.
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