Ravichandran Ashwin Celebrates Women's World Cup Victory as Historic Milestone
Ashwin's Perspective on Women's World Cup Triumph
Renowned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed that the recent World Cup victory of the Indian women's cricket team is a "greater achievement" than any previous World Cup win for the nation. He believes this success will significantly influence the future of women's cricket in India.
India's World Cup Legacy
With this remarkable win, India now boasts three ODI World Cup titles across both men's and women's cricket. The journey began with Kapil Dev's team in 1983, followed by MS Dhoni's squad securing the title on home turf. The latest triumph under Harmanpreet Kaur's leadership marks the third title, complementing India's two T20 World Cup victories (2007, 2024) and two ICC Champions Trophy wins (2013, 2025).
Ashwin's Insights on the Impact of the Victory
Ashwin emphasized that the women's team's World Cup success is monumental, stating, "This achievement has the potential to inspire young girls to pursue cricket seriously and transform the perception of women's cricket in India." He shared these thoughts on his YouTube channel, highlighting the importance of this victory in changing societal attitudes.
Historic Win Ends 47-Year Drought
On Sunday, at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, India celebrated a thrilling 52-run victory over South Africa. The team scored an impressive 298/7, led by Shafali Verma's explosive 87 off 78 balls and Deepti Sharma's steady 58 off 58 balls. South Africa managed 246 runs in 45.3 overs, despite a valiant 101 off 98 balls from captain Laura Wolvaardt.
Emotional Celebrations Post-Final
Following the match, emotions ran high as Harmanpreet and her teammates shed tears of joy. Former men's captain Rohit Sharma, present at the venue, was also visibly moved. Jhulan Goswami, a veteran of the women's team, embraced Harmanpreet and celebrated the victory by lifting the trophy alongside her teammates. Iconic batter Mithali Raj was also in attendance, sharing in the moment of triumph.