New Delhi, Nov 5 (NationPress) On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly welcomed the Indian women’s cricket team at his official residence, Lok Kalyan Marg, in New Delhi, celebrating their monumental victory in the ODI World Cup.

Modi extended his heartfelt congratulations to the team, which is captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, as they donned formal attire and proudly wore their winner’s medals. He commended their incredible comeback after facing three defeats during the league stage and enduring online criticism.

The team arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday under tight security for their meeting with Modi. They claimed their first major ICC trophy by defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup final, held at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.

During the meeting, Captain Harmanpreet Kaur reminisced about their previous encounter with PM Modi in 2017, where they met without the trophy. She expressed the team’s desire to meet him more frequently now that they have achieved this historic milestone.

Vice-Captain Smriti Mandhana noted how Modi has been a source of motivation and inspiration for them, highlighting the progress of women in various fields, attributing it to Modi’s initiatives.

Player of the Tournament Deepti Sharma shared her anticipation for this meeting and recalled how Modi encouraged them to work hard towards achieving their dreams during their last encounter.

PM Modi also engaged with Deepti about her Instagram post featuring Jai Shri Ram and her tattoo of Bhagwan Hanuman, which she revealed provides her with strength.

Harmanpreet inquired how Modi remains focused in the present, to which he explained that it has become second nature to him. He also reminisced about the remarkable catch made by Harleen Deol against England in 2021, showcasing his ongoing support and interest in the game.

PM Modi praised the catch of seam-bowling all-rounder Amanjot Kaur, humorously noting the importance of focus after making a catch. Fast bowler Kranti Gaud mentioned her brother is a fan of Modi, prompting him to invite them to meet.

He encouraged the team to promote the Fit India initiative, especially among young girls, emphasizing the growing issue of obesity and the significance of fitness. Pratika Rawal, who was in a wheelchair due to an ankle injury, was also present with the team.

PM Modi was among the first to congratulate the team after their World Cup victory, celebrating their skill and teamwork throughout the tournament. He expressed that this historic win would inspire future champions to pursue sports. #WomensWorldCup2025,” he tweeted.