A wave of national pride swept Mumbai as the Indian women’s cricket team celebrated their historic first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup triumph. Amidst the jubilation, captain Harmanpreet Kaur created an unforgettable moment by striking an iconic pose with the gleaming trophy at the majestic Gateway of India, reminiscent of MS Dhoni’s legendary celebration after the 2011 ODI World Cup victory.
India’s resounding 52-run win over South Africa in the final at the DY Patil Stadium marked the end of a prolonged quest for an ICC title, finally overcoming the heartbreaks of 2005 and 2017. The pictures released by the ICC, showcasing the skipper proudly holding the trophy against the backdrop of the iconic monument, immediately sparked nostalgia among fans, who fondly recalled Dhoni’s similar gesture from 2011.
A standout performer throughout the tournament, Deepti Sharma was pivotal to India’s victorious campaign, earning the prestigious Player of the Tournament award for her exceptional all-round contributions. The off-spinning all-rounder delivered a stellar performance in the final, bagging five wickets for just 39 runs and scoring a crucial 58 runs. She concluded the tournament with an impressive tally of 22 wickets and 215 runs.
Expressing her elation, Deepti shared with PTI, “I am feeling really good. From the first game of the World Cup, I performed exactly how I wanted to as a senior player. There cannot be anything better than giving such a good performance in the final and lifting the trophy.” Reflecting on their journey, she added that the triumph felt divinely ordained. “It took us really long to win the World Cup, but what God has written for you happens only at the destined time, and I think it was written to take place in India.”
Harmanpreet echoed similar sentiments, viewing the victory not as an end, but a promising beginning for the team. “This is the start. We wanted to break this barrier. And our next plan is to make this a habit,” she stated after the final. “So many big occasions are coming, and we want to keep improving. This is not the end, just the beginning.” The skipper also acknowledged the crucial role played by her teammates and the support staff, emphasizing that such a monumental win wouldn’t have been possible without their collective effort.
Currently, the triumphant Indian women’s cricket team is in Mumbai and is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday, November 5th.