Three days after their historic 52-run victory over South Africa in the Women’s ODI World Cup final, the Indian Women’s Cricket Team, led by Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, was formally honored in New Delhi. The team’s journey, which began with a roaring final at the DY Patil Stadium, culminated with a meeting at the nation’s highest office: the Prime Minister’s residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.
Formal Recognition of a Historic Achievement
The high-profile interaction served as the country’s primary stage for celebrating the long-awaited world title, particularly in the absence of an open-top victory parade. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the entire World Cup-winning squad, the support staff, and senior BCCI officials on Wednesday evening. The event took place after the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) formally invited the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to bring the champions to the official residence.
The team, including key players such as Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Shafali Verma, and Jemimah Rodrigues, arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday and were greeted by fans and officials at their hotel. On Wednesday afternoon, the convoy made its way to the PM’s residence, with the World Cup trophy serving as the undeniable visual focal point.
Inside the PM’s Residence
Security was notably tightened as the team bus arrived at the location. Inside, Prime Minister Modi interacted with the players and support staff, offering his congratulations on finally achieving India’s maiden Women’s ODI World Cup crown after years of coming close.
The Prime Minister:
- Congratulated the team on converting previous “so close” campaigns into a world title.
- Praised the squad’s resilience for making a strong comeback in the tournament after suffering three consecutive defeats early on.
- Posed for photographs with the full squad and the trophy, creating new iconic imagery for Indian cricket.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur also reportedly recalled meeting the Prime Minister previously in 2017, but without the trophy in hand.
Symbolism of the Visit
The event capped a whirlwind 72 hours for the players, moving from the intensity of the final match to immediate media commitments, receptions, and cross-country travel. The meeting elevated the team’s story into the very heart of India’s political and cultural visibility.
Although there was no open-bus parade for the public, the symbolism of the champions carrying their trophy into India’s most closely watched address—the Prime Minister’s official residence—was unmistakable. The team’s journey has been widely recognized for shifting the center of gravity of Indian cricket towards its women, with this visit marking the final, official recognition of their complete and successful arc.