India’s Women’s World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for motivating them after their 2017 World Cup loss.
They said his encouragement inspired the team to work harder and eventually lift their maiden ICC trophy.
Prime Minister Modi met and interacted with the women’s cricket team at his residence on Wednesday evening.
The meeting came days after India defeated South Africa in the World Cup final at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, securing their first-ever ICC title.
Harmanpreet Kaur said it was an emotional moment to hand over the trophy to the Prime Minister.
“Sir, I still remember our meeting in 2017. We couldn’t bring the trophy home then. But today, it’s a great honour to present it to you. You’ve doubled our happiness, and this means a lot to us. We hope to meet you again with more trophies,” she told PM Modi.
The Prime Minister praised the team’s achievement and recalled how the nation followed their journey.
“You’ve done something incredible. In India, cricket is not just a game; it’s a way of life. When you play well, the entire country celebrates. Even when you lost three matches in a row, there was trolling and criticism, but you rose above it,” he said.
After the meeting, Kaur thanked PM Modi once again for his guidance. “When we met in 2017 after losing the final, you motivated us. You told us to give our best whenever we get another chance. Today, after winning the trophy, it feels amazing to talk to you again,” she said.
Smriti Mandhana echoed Kaur’s feelings. “In 2017, we came empty-handed. You encouraged us to keep working hard. Over the years, we faced many heartbreaks, but destiny wanted India’s first Women’s World Cup to be won at home,” she said.
Mandhana also praised the rise of women across all fields. “We see women achieving in ISRO and other sectors. It inspires us to perform better and motivate other girls,” she added.
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