Indiaâs Women Create History: Diana Edulji Hails World Cup Win as â1983 Momentâ
A new chapter in Indian cricket history was written on Sunday as Team Indiaâs women lifted their first-ever ICC Womenâs World Cup, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final. The moment, hailed as âIndiaâs 1983 for womenâs cricket,â has ignited waves of pride, joy, and emotion across the country.
Former India captain Diana Edulji â a pioneer of womenâs cricket in the country â described the victory as a dream fulfilled. âIt is our 1983 moment,â she said, comparing it to the menâs iconic World Cup triumph that changed Indian cricket forever. âThe girls have done exceptionally well. I congratulate the team, the BCCI, and the ICC for their continued support of womenâs cricket. I have waited for this since 2017. Richa Ghosh and Shafali Verma deserve special mention for winning both the U-19 and senior World Cups. The girls truly deserve every bit of this glory.â
After near misses in 2005 and 2017, the Indian women finally conquered the summit, fueled by Shafali Vermaâs explosive 87 runs and Deepti Sharmaâs brilliant all-round performance â 58 runs and a five-wicket haul (5/39). The combination of fearless batting, disciplined bowling, and team unity delivered India their long-awaited global crown.
The emotional triumph has drawn applause from all corners â from cricket legends to political leaders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team, calling it âa proud and inspiring moment for the entire nation.â
âThis is Indiaâs first Womenâs World Cup. I congratulate our womenâs cricket team. Your success will inspire millions of young people across the country,â he said.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister added:
âA spectacular win by the Indian team in the ICC Womenâs Cricket World Cup 2025 Finals. Their performance showed great skill, teamwork, and confidence. This historic win will motivate future champions to take up sports. #WomensWorldCup2025.â
President Droupadi Murmu also joined in celebrating the teamâs milestone, calling it a âwatershed momentâ for Indian sport.
âMy heartiest congratulations to every member of the Indian womenâs cricket team. They have created history by winning the title for the first time. This moment will take womenâs cricket to even greater heights,â she posted on X.
Former Indian players were effusive in their praise. Syed Kirmani, part of the 1983 menâs World Cup-winning team, called Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues âthe darlings of the team,â commending their resilience and comeback after a rocky start to the tournament. âTheir composure and spirit were remarkable,â he said.
Madan Lal, another 1983 hero, said this victory would change the face of womenâs cricket in India. âThis is a turning point. More girls will take up cricket now, and weâll see greater investment, infrastructure, and recognition,â he said. He also lauded Harmanpreet Kaurâs leadership, calling her âa captain who led by example, both emotionally and strategically.â
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir praised the teamâs unity and spirit, writing on X:
âYouâve not just created history â youâve created a legacy that will inspire generations of girls.â
From the menâs team, cricketers across generations showered admiration:
Ravichandran Ashwin: âCongratulations @BCCIWomen, that was one hell of a campaign.â
Irfan Pathan: âBrilliant play. Deepti Sharma, what a player you are. Shafali, well done.â
Shikhar Dhawan: â@TheShafaliVermaâs fearless batting and @Deepti_Sharma06âs all-round class made all the difference. Champions in every sense.â
Virat Kohli on Instagram: âThe girls have created history. I couldnât be prouder as an Indian. Years of hard work have paid off. This will inspire generations. Jai Hind.â
Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar drew a powerful parallel with the menâs 1983 triumph:
â1983 inspired a generation to dream big. Today, our womenâs team has done something truly special. Theyâve inspired countless young girls across the country to believe they can lift that trophy too. Well done, Team India â youâve made the nation proud.â
ICC Chairman Jay Shah congratulated both teams and highlighted the record-breaking audience figures, calling it âa monumental step in the evolution of womenâs cricket.â
Nita M. Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, summed up the national sentiment, saying,
âAt the stroke of midnight, our girls have made India proud. Through courage, conviction, and confidence, theyâve brought glory to the nation. Jai Hind.â
As celebrations erupted across cities â from Delhi and Mumbai to smaller towns and villages â the victory stood as more than a sporting achievement. It became a moment of empowerment, unity, and inspiration for millions of young girls who now dare to dream of lifting the tricolor on the world stage.
With this win, Team Indiaâs women have not just claimed a trophy â theyâve claimed a legacy.
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