The nation erupted in joy overnight as fireworks lit up the sky and social media flooded with congratulatory messages. BCCI announced a ₹51 crore cash reward, celebrating what many are calling the greatest moment in Indian women’s sporting history.BY PC Bureau
November 3, 2025: When India lifted the Women’s World Cup trophy late last night, it was more than just a sporting victory — it was a defining national moment. As fireworks illuminated city skies and chants of “India! India!” echoed across living rooms, college hostels, and village courtyards, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team stood on the podium, holding the gleaming silverware that had eluded the country for nearly two decades.
By morning, the euphoria had settled into something deeper — pride, gratitude, and the realization that a dream long deferred had finally been fulfilled. From Delhi to Dimapur, Mumbai to Manipur, the nation woke up celebrating not just a trophy, but the rise of India’s women cricketers as global champions.
VIDEO | Mumbai: As Indian women’s cricket team wins its first-ever ICC ODI World Cup, former India captain Diana Edulji says, “I just have no words to explain. This is the proudest moment of my life. 50 years of my being on the cricket field as a player and an administrator. I am… pic.twitter.com/2756WhVlD9
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 2, 2025
In hotel corridors and team rooms, the players themselves were still absorbing what they had done. Social media was flooded with congratulatory messages from legends, politicians, and fans alike. The BCCI’s announcement of a ₹51 crore cash reward set the tone for a day of celebration — symbolic recognition for a journey marked by years of resilience, self-belief, and quiet sacrifice.
India’s 52-run victory over South Africa was no fluke of destiny. It was built brick by brick — on discipline, on heartbreak, and on the determination to rewrite history. The team’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, whose calm presence anchored the campaign, spoke of “a promise fulfilled” — a promise made to every young girl who once watched from the sidelines, dreaming of her day under the lights.
A Night of Redemption, A Morning of Reckoning
When India posted 298 for 7 in the final, powered by Shafali Verma’s blistering 87 and Deepti Sharma’s composed 55, it was already clear that the night was headed toward something extraordinary. By the time Deepti completed her five-wicket haul to seal the match, tears flowed freely in the dugout. For players who had lived through the heartbreaks of 2005 and 2017, this was vindication — and liberation.
Deepti and Shafali, two women at opposite ends of their cricketing journeys, personified India’s transformation. Deepti, the dependable workhorse, bowled with artistry and intelligence; Shafali, the fiery prodigy from Haryana, attacked with fearlessness and flair. Together, they bridged generations and philosophies — proving that India’s women’s cricket is no longer about survival, but about domination.
Smriti Mandhana, whose elegant 45 capped a record-breaking tournament tally of 434 runs, and Jemimah Rodrigues, whose flair and composure shone through the semifinals, also played pivotal roles in India’s campaign. Yet beyond statistics, it was the spirit — collective, unyielding, and joyful — that captured the nation’s heart.
A Nation Transformed by Its Daughters
As dawn broke, images of the team lifting the cup appeared on every newspaper front page and news channel banner. Schoolgirls proudly wore cricket jerseys to class. Cricket academies from Punjab to Puducherry reported an unusual rush of new enrollments. Parents who once hesitated to send their daughters to training sessions were now calling coaches for admission forms.
What this team achieved last night goes beyond the boundary rope. It has redefined how a nation sees its women in sport — not as underdogs, not as symbols of struggle, but as champions in their own right.
President and Prime Minister both hailed the team’s win as a moment of national pride, while sports icons like Sachin Tendulkar, PV Sindhu, and Mary Kom congratulated the players for “changing the face of Indian cricket.”
In towns and cities, spontaneous celebrations broke out. At India Gate, tricolor flags waved late into the night. In Jharkhand, local clubs organized a 6 a.m. victory march. In Mumbai, fans gathered outside Wankhede Stadium, chanting Shafali and Deepti’s names.
The Beginning of a New Era
For years, Indian women’s cricket had lived in the shadows — underfunded, underwatched, and underestimated. Last night changed that forever. The victory at the 13th ICC Women’s World Cup wasn’t just a culmination — it was a beginning.
A beginning where women cricketers are household names.
A beginning where little girls will pick up bats without hesitation.
A beginning where the world takes Indian women’s cricket seriously — because they have earned it.
This morning, the nation basks in golden sunlight and a golden moment. Harmanpreet Kaur’s team didn’t just win a trophy; they won something far bigger — respect, recognition, and a place in history.
India, at last, has its World Cup queens — and their reign has just begun.
