New Delhi, Nov 6 (NationPress) Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the inspirational insights he provided following their 2017 World Cup final defeat to England, noting that his encouragement fueled their determination and ultimately led to their first trophy victory.

Modi met with the victorious Women's World Cup team at his residence on Wednesday evening. India claimed their inaugural ICC trophy by defeating South Africa in the World Cup final held at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium this past Sunday, earning the title of world champions.

“Sir, I vividly recall our meeting in 2017. At that point, we hadn’t brought the trophy home, but today it is a tremendous privilege for us to present to you the trophy for which we've labored tirelessly over the years. You’ve amplified our joy today, and it truly means a lot to us. Our goal now is to continue meeting you in the future and capturing memories together with you and the team,” Kaur shared with the Prime Minister.

In response to the captain’s heartfelt words, Modi remarked, "You all have accomplished something extraordinary. In India, cricket transcends mere sport — it has become a vital part of life for our people. When cricket thrives, the entire nation feels uplifted. However, if there are any setbacks, the whole country feels the impact. Even when you faced three consecutive losses, there was significant backlash and criticism.”

After their gathering, Kaur conveyed her appreciation to PM Modi for the motivational guidance he offered during their previous meeting in 2017, saying it was a pleasure to converse with him once more.

“When we met in 2017, we had just suffered a final defeat. But at that moment, sir, your encouragement meant a great deal — you advised us on how to perform at our best for the next opportunity. And today, after finally securing the trophy, it was wonderful to speak with you again.”

Mandhana, who was also part of the Indian team that met with Modi post the 2017 World Cup loss, reflected on how they arrived empty-handed during their last visit, but eventually rose to meet his expectations and brought home the trophy.

She also stated that although they faced heartbreaks in previous World Cup tournaments, winning the trophy on home soil felt like ‘destiny,’ saying, “When we met you in 2017, we were unable to deliver the trophy. I remember asking you about your expectations, and your response significantly aided us.

"In the subsequent 6-7 years, we strove hard, enduring many heartbreaks at the World Cups. It was destined that India’s first Women’s World Cup victory would occur at home. You have always inspired us. We now see women excelling in various fields, from ISRO to others. Each time we witness this, it motivates us to excel and empower other girls.”