PM congratulates the Team for their outstanding performance in winning the trophy
PM calls upon the players to motivate others by sharing their success story, asks each player to select three schools to visit in a year
PM emphasises on Fit India Movement to combat obesity, urges Players to promote the same for the benefit of all, especially the daughters of the country
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 06, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 champions at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi. 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, Amol Mazumdar stated that it was an honour and a 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.
Mr 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 demeanour was itself a source of inspiration.
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.
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 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.
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
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.
