New Delhi: In a warm and candid meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the Indian women's cricket team, fresh off their historic victory at the 2025 ICC Women's ODI World Cup. The interaction at the Prime Minister's residence in New Delhi went beyond cricket, touching upon topics like tattoos, skincare, and the team's unwavering spirit.
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led squad, dressed in formals and proudly displaying their medals, were congratulated by the Prime Minister for their resilience, teamwork, and fighting spirit. Modi lauded their remarkable comeback after a difficult start to the tournament, where they faced three consecutive defeats, ultimately lifting the trophy with a 52-run victory against South Africa in the final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. He commended their ability to stay focused despite social media trolling and immense pressure.
During the interaction, Captain Harmanpreet Kaur reminisced about meeting Modi in 2017 after their World Cup final loss, expressing her joy at returning with the trophy this time. She conveyed the team's hope for future meetings with more victories. Vice-Captain Smriti Mandhana thanked Modi for his constant encouragement and for championing women's sports in India.
The Prime Minister also engaged in light-hearted banter with the players. He noticed Deepti Sharma's "Jai Shri Ram" tattoo and her tattoo of Lord Hanuman, acknowledging that faith gives strength. A particularly amusing moment occurred when top-order batter Harleen Deol inquired about Modi's skincare routine, causing laughter to erupt in the room. Modi responded with a smile that he doesn't think about it. Someone from the team playfully added, "Sir, it's the love of the country!".
Modi encouraged the team to promote the Fit India movement, especially among young girls, and to visit schools to inspire the next generation. He also reminisced about some of Indian women's cricket’s most memorable moments — Harleen Deol's celebrated catch against England in 2021 and Amanjot Kaur's juggling catch in the final. He joked that while catching, a player must be seeing the ball, but after the catch, they must be seeing the trophy.
The Prime Minister praised the team's mental toughness, especially considering the social media trolling they faced after their initial setbacks. He recognized their exemplary mental strength in bouncing back and scripting history.
Harmanpreet Kaur has immortalized the feeling of World Cup triumph with a tattoo that will forever remind her of the ultimate prize. The India women's cricket team captain has had the World Cup etched onto her biceps, ensuring that she wakes up every day to a symbol of her greatest achievement.
Concluding the meeting, Modi once again congratulated the team for their exceptional teamwork and tenacity, calling their victory a golden chapter in India's sporting history. He acknowledged their remarkable journey and the shift in the center of gravity of Indian cricket towards its women.
