The night India’s Women in Blue were crowned World Champions was more than just a cricket match; it was a captivating display of respect, humility, and pure joy that captivated the nation. As Captain Harmanpreet Kaur stepped forward to receive the ICC Women’s World Cup trophy from ICC chair Jay Shah at Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, an unexpected and heartwarming exchange unfolded, stealing the spotlight.
After a warm handshake, Harmanpreet, honoring a deeply rooted Indian tradition, instinctively began to bow and touch Shah’s feet as a gesture of reverence and heartfelt gratitude. However, Shah gently intervened with a subtle nod, signaling for her not to. This fleeting interaction, lasting mere seconds, became an emotional highlight of the evening, resonating profoundly with fans across the country. Social media was abuzz with accolades, praising the moment as a perfect embodiment of Indian values—where deep respect met sincere humility on the grandest sporting stage.
Moments later, the atmosphere shifted from emotional reflection to electrifying jubilation. With the gleaming trophy now firmly in her grasp, Harmanpreet paused briefly alongside the ICC chair before turning to her ecstatic teammates. That’s when the bhangra celebrations erupted! The Indian skipper playfully teased her squad, pretending to hoist the trophy before finally lifting it high, igniting a spectacular burst of fireworks, roaring cheers, and tears of pure happiness. Each player, overcome with emotion, took their turn raising the trophy, every lift accompanied by joyous leaps, infectious laughter, and unrestrained passion.
This triumphant celebration marked the culmination of India’s long-cherished dream for World Cup glory. Harmanpreet’s formidable team demonstrated unparalleled courage and skill, outclassing South Africa by a decisive 52 runs to secure their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title. This victory finally laid to rest the heart-wrenching defeats of 2005 and 2017. India’s impressive total of 298 for 7, spearheaded by Shafali Verma’s brilliant 87 and Deepti Sharma’s exceptional all-round performance (55 runs and 5/39), proved insurmountable for the Proteas, despite Laura Wolvaardt’s valiant century of 101.
As vibrant confetti cascaded down and the infectious rhythms of bhangra filled the air, India’s women had achieved more than just lifting a trophy—they had ignited the spirit of an entire nation, etching a glorious new chapter in the annals of Indian cricket history.