The night at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, was one of pure emotion and pride. The India Women’s Cricket Team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, lifted the 2025 ODI World Cup after defeating South Africa by 52 runs, ending decades of heartbreak from 2005 and 2017.
An Emotional Full Circle for Indian Cricket
In a heartwarming moment, the Indian players handed the trophy to legends Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, bringing the entire stadium to tears. The gesture celebrated the pioneers who built the foundation of women’s cricket in India. Icons like Anjum Chopra were seen watching with pride as the dream they once chased finally came true.
This triumph marked India’s third ODI World Cup victory across men’s and women’s cricket after 1983 under Kapil Dev and 2011 under MS Dhoni.
Ashwin Praises the Team’s Humility and Class
Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shared an emotional reaction on his YouTube channel, calling the victory one of Indian cricket’s greatest achievements. He praised the women’s team for their humility and grace in celebrating success, especially for crediting former players.
Ashwin noted, “It’s rare to see such respect in modern cricket. The women showed us how to win with dignity and gratitude.”
“A Result of 25 Years of Effort”
Ashwin highlighted that this World Cup win was not just about one campaign but about “25 years of effort” by past generations who nurtured women’s cricket through struggles and sacrifice. He described it as a collective victory for every player who paved the way for this moment.
Ashwin’s Powerful Statement
Ashwin even went as far as to say that this World Cup triumph “beats any title India has ever won,” including the men’s tournaments. For him, this victory is more than a sporting milestone it’s a movement that can inspire a new generation of girls to take up cricket and reshape how India views women in sports.
