After India defeated South Africa by 52 runs, the excitement at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai ran high. The Women’s ODI World Cup trophy was hoisted, and the team carried it to legends who had chased a title for years – Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, Anjum Chopra and Reema Malhotra.
Pratika Rawal, the new‑captain in the middle of the celebrations, said the win is a reward for the current squad and for the generations that paved the way for women’s cricket in India. “It felt like the players we watched as kids finally got what they deserved,” she told . “Now our fans can feel the pride and the pride has returned to the game.”
During the ceremony, emotional moments unfolded. Jhulan Goswami was brought between captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice‑captain Smriti Mandhana and shared a tearful hug with them. Mithali Raj, meanwhile, lifted the trophy for the first time and smiled broadly under the cheers of her former teammates.
Reema Malhotra later sang a popular Hindi chant with Harmanpreet, adding a light‑hearted note to the triumph.
“Every time we see the trophy go to old legends, it reminds us of the sacrifices they made,” Pratika added. “Seeing them in tears and joy shows the full circle of effort and reward.”
She also talked about how this victory will reshape the future of women’s cricket in India. “The 2017 final gave us recognition, but this win takes it to a whole new level,” she said. “Young girls will now see that they can chase their dreams and even convince their parents to support them.”
The win is expected to boost the sport’s profile across the country and inspire a new generation of athletes who want to reach the highest level for India.
Source: ianslive
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