In a proud and an unforgettable moment for the victorious women’s cricket team, the Hon’ble Prime Minister hosted the triumphant team at his official residence following their historic World Cup in Navi Mumbai. The team defeated Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa by 52 runs in the grand finale, bringing the trophy home and making the entire nation cheer. It was a graceful occasion, as the players got the chance to share their experiences and insights from the home tournament with the Prime Minister himself.
Harmanpreet Kaur fondly recalled the last time the team met the Prime Minister back in 2017, when India finished as runners-up after a heartbreaking 9-run loss to England. Back then, they met without the trophy, but after years of hard work they have now returned victorious, proudly bringing the World Cup home.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi asked Player of the Tournament Deepti Sharma about her Lord Hanuman tattoo and how it inspires her. Deepti shared that the tattoo reminds her to overcome challenges and stay strong in difficult times. She also mentioned that she has “Jai Shree Ram” written in her Instagram bio as a mark of her devotion.
During the meeting with Prime Minister Modi, one moment from the final match caught everyone’s attention, Harmanpreet Kaur slipping the match ball into her pocket after taking the final catch at the cover region. It was a small but meaningful gesture that seemed to connect the past and present of Indian cricket. Forty-two years after Sunil Gavaskar famously pocketed the match ball following India’s men’s maiden World Cup win in 1983, Harmanpreet unknowingly recreated that historic moment at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai as India bowled out the Proteas.
Harmanpreet’s answer was as honest as it could get. “This was also God’s plan, sir. It was only all of a sudden. I didn’t know the last catch would come to me. After all these years of hard work, when it did, I just felt it should stay with me,” she said with a smile.
As Nadine de Klerk, South Africa’s last hope of a batter in their 299-chase, uppish drive off Deepti Sharma flew toward cover, Harmanpreet clutched the ball.
When asked about another memorable catch, Amanjot Kaur, all smiles, said it felt funny to fumble it at first, but she ultimately held on. The catch was of Laura Wolvaardt, who had just completed her century and could have helped South Africa chase down the target. Running toward the cow-corner region, Amanjot completed the catch, sending back the South African skipper at a crucial moment in the match, turning the game firmly in India’s favor.
The meeting ended on a very happy note as the Prime Minister celebrated the team’s win with sweets and shared smiles. The PM and players posed with a group photograph while enjoying the warmth of the occasion. For all the members of this victorious Indian squad, this day will be framed in their memories for lifetime. It was a day to remember as all the hardwork paid off, and India proudly boast as the champions of the world.
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