After their thrilling victory against South Africa, securing India’s first-ever Women’s World Cup title, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana publicly acknowledged pacer Arundhati Reddy. Mandhana praised Reddy’s unwavering support and positive presence, highlighting the crucial team spirit that fueled their historic win. Key performances from Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma were instrumental in this monumental achievement.
Smriti Mandhana shared a special moment with a teammate after the title win in Navi Mumbai.
India’s triumphant Women’s World Cup win on Sunday night was a spectacle of joy, profound emotion, and moments that transcended the simple scoresheet. As the celebrations at DY Patil Stadium continued late into the evening, one particular gesture from vice-captain Smriti Mandhana truly resonated.
Amidst the widespread appreciation for every player, Mandhana chose Instagram to celebrate a teammate who, despite not playing a single game throughout the tournament, was an indispensable presence: pacer Arundhati Reddy. The 28-year-old bowler consistently brought energetic support to team huddles and from the dugout. She was also a prominent feature in many celebratory posts by other players, including one from Jemimah Rodrigues that went viral, simply captioned “Are we still dreaming?”
In a heartfelt Instagram story dedicated to Reddy, Mandhana wrote, “People from the outside won’t know what you have done for this team! To not get to play a match but still show up every session with a smile and take care of everyone around! You are our Star! @arundhati.reddy.” This touching message powerfully underscored the deep bonds and unity within the squad that ultimately led India to its historic first Women’s ODI World Cup title.
Even though Reddy did not participate in any of the nine matches, her unwavering spirit and encouragement were consistently praised by her teammates throughout their successful campaign. On the field, India created history with a dominant 52-run victory over South Africa in the final. Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma were at the heart of this stellar performance. Shafali scored an impressive 87 runs at the top of the order, while Deepti delivered an exceptional all-round display with 54 runs and a remarkable five-wicket haul.
India’s formidable total of 298/7 stands as the second-highest score ever recorded in a Women’s ODI World Cup final. In their chase, South Africa put up a valiant fight, led by Laura Wolvaardt’s century. However, Deepti’s game-changing figures of 5 for 39 and outstanding fielding efforts, including a crucial direct hit run-out by Amanjot Kaur to dismiss Tazmin Brits, ultimately secured the victory for India.
This monumental win marked the end of decades of anticipation and brought India its very first ICC title in women’s cricket. Amidst the euphoria of this historic triumph, Mandhana’s words for Reddy served as a powerful reminder: every World Cup victory is not only built on the players who take the field but also on the invaluable, often unseen contributions of those who support the team from behind the scenes.