Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted India’s World Cup-winning women’s cricket team at his residence on Wednesday, lauding their grit and comeback after early setbacks in the tournament.
PM Modi congratulated the team on their victory and praised their remarkable comeback in the tournament after a string of three defeats and the trolling they faced on social media. The players presented a signed jersey with “NaMo 1” printed on it to the Prime Minister. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Mithun Manhas was also present.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur recalled meeting the Prime Minister in 2017, after India’s narrow loss to England in the final at Lord’s. She said that while they had met him then without the trophy, this time they were proud to meet him with it, adding that the team hopes to meet him more often.
Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, who finished the tournament as the second-highest run-getter with 434 runs in nine outings, including a century and two fifties, said the Prime Minister had always motivated them and has been an inspiration. She added that girls are excelling in every field today, thanks to PM Modi’s encouragement.
Deepti Sharma, named Player of the Tournament for scoring 215 runs and taking 22 wickets — including a fifty and a five-wicket haul in the final against South Africa — said she had been waiting to meet the Prime Minister again. She recalled their 2017 meeting, when PM Modi had told them to keep working hard to achieve their dreams.
The PM also pointed to Deepti’s tattoo of Lord Hanuman on her arm, to which the all-rounder said it gives her strength.
Harmanpreet asked the Prime Minister how he manages to always remain in the present. The PM replied that being in the moment has been part of his life and has become a habit.
The Prime Minister also recalled Harleen Deol’s famous catch against England during a T20I in 2021, about which he had posted on social media at the time. He further mentioned how Harmanpreet pocketed the ball after the final match, to which she said she was lucky that the ball came to her, so she decided to keep it.
PM Modi discussed the now-famous catch by Amanjot Kaur to dismiss South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt, which she took after several fumbles. Amanjot said it was one fumble she liked to see.
Kranti Gaud, the young pacer who took nine wickets in eight matches, mentioned that her brother is a big fan of the Prime Minister, who immediately extended an open invitation for them to visit.
PM Modi urged the players to take forward the message of the Fit India movement, especially among girls across the country. He discussed the growing issue of obesity and stressed the importance of fitness. He also encouraged the players to visit their schools and inspire young students.
(ANI)