The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025-winning Indian women’s team was hosted by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on November 5 and interacted with all of the players.

India finally broke the hoodoo of not winning the World Cup despite playing in two finals previously in 2005 and 2017, and defeated South Africa in the summit clash on November 2 in Navi Mumbai to become world champions.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana were part of the 2017 World Cup heartbreak, when under the captaincy of Mithali Raj, India lost to England at Lord’s by 9 runs after a stunning collapse.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks gave them hope when they returned home empty-handed. Through every competition, every accolade, and every setback, the women carried that confidence with them.

Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana remembered PM Modi’s words and reminded him of his gracious act eight years ago.

"I still remember when we met you in 2017; we couldn’t bring the trophy, but this is a matter of pride and honor for us that the thing we have been working hard on for years, we were finally able to bring the trophy to you here. Your presence has increased our happiness, and our aim now is to meet you more often in the future and take pictures with you," Harmanpreet told PM Modi when the women's team met the Indian Prime Minister.

"When we lost in the final eight years ago, sir had motivated us a lot. He told us what we needed to do whenever we got our next opportunity. Give our best. And today, now that we’ve finally won the trophy, it felt good to speak with him," she added.  

PM Modi echoed their thoughts and said, "Honestly, what you have achieved is very big. In India, cricket is not a game; in a way, it has become the life of many people. If India plays well, the country feels proud, and if things go wrong even slightly, the entire country gets shaken.”

Meanwhile, Mandhana ended up as India’s highest run-getter in the World Cup with 434 runs, and she recalled how she had taken everything Prime Minister Modi said in her stride over the years.

"When we came in 2017 but couldn’t win the trophy, we asked you a question about expectations, and your answer really helped. For the next 6-7 years, we all tried and endured a lot of heartbreaks, but perhaps it was our destiny to win the first World Cup in India. Not just cricket, but the way girls are performing in every field. It's all the more inspiration and motivation to continue to do the good work and inspire the next generation of women in our country," she told PM Modi.