The daughters of India did what the country was waiting for for the last five decades. When captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s team won the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup for the first time by defeating South Africa by 52 runs at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on the night of 2 November, it became a victory song not only of the game but of the indomitable courage, discipline and self-confidence of Indian women.
Shafali Verma’s stormy innings of 87 runs and two important wickets taken by her spin put India in a strong position, while Deepti Sharma’s all-round performance (58 runs and five wickets) put the match in India’s bag. After scoring a strong score of 298 runs, Indian bowlers created history by restricting South Africa to 246 runs. As soon as Harmanpreet took the decisive catch, the stadium echoed with slogans of “Vande Mataram”. This moment was the moment of hoisting the victory flag of women power.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the team’s victory as “a symbol of amazing skill and confidence” and said that this victory will become an inspiration for the coming generations. President Draupadi Murmu called it a “golden chapter for Indian women’s sports”. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also wrote that “these daughters have won not just the trophy but the hearts of the entire country.” BCCI announced a reward of Rs 51 crore to the players which is not just the money but a recognition of the importance of this victory.
But the story of this victory is not just on the field, it is a story of confidence, struggle and continuity. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur admitted that the defeat to England was an eye-opener for the team. That setback taught the Indian players that victory is achieved not only through skill but also through patience and mental toughness. He said, “We did not repeat the same mistake. After that our thinking changed.”
Also, the selection of 21 year old Shefali Verma from Haryana also became an inspiring story. When opening batsman Pratika Rawal got injured, Shefali got a chance. “Maybe God had a plan for me,” he said. And he actually carried out that “plan” on his own. There was youthful enthusiasm in his batting and confidence in his bowling. Captain Harmanpreet rightly said, “It was destiny and Shefali wrote history by trusting it.”
If seen, this victory was not only about ball and bat on the field, but was also an echo of the changing nature of women in Indian society. Where women’s cricket was once considered a “side show”, today the same women are bringing India prestige on the world stage. This is the story of the new generation which carries both ‘power’ and ‘sensitivity’ together.
Today’s Indian woman is not only the backbone of the family but also the carrier of the aspirations of the nation. From farm to laboratory, from Parliament to sports field, it is hoisting its flag in every field. This World Cup has proved that when an Indian woman is determined, she makes even the impossible possible.
Harmanpreet and Smriti Mandhana’s tears were not just those of victory, they were symbols of achievement after years of hard work, sacrifice and innumerable failures. This is a message for the countless daughters who are laying the foundation of their dreams in small towns, under tin roofs or in school grounds.
Indian woman is no longer “weak” but an invincible force. This victory of Shefali and Deepti is actually a symbol of the immense form of motherly power which has nurtured India for ages. This is not just the victory of cricket, it is the victory of the Indian culture which is imbued with the spirit of “Yatra Naryastu Pujyante Ramante Tatra Devta:”.
The daughters of India have shown that now the sky is not their limit, but their flight is infinite. This World Cup is a beacon of victory held in the hands of India’s women power—one that will teach future generations that history can be changed if the spirits are high, and India’s daughters are doing just that.