Tendulkar-Kohli emotional after winning the Women's World Cup: The story of an unforgettable night
DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, November 2, 2025. The sky has cleared a bit after the rain, but the weather on the field is still heavy. Shafali Verma's stormy innings of 87 runs off 78 balls, an opening partnership of 104 runs with Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma's run-a-ball 58 and then 5 wickets later—all in all, India 298/7. South Africa chased down 246 all out despite Laura Woolvert's century. Win by 52 runs. For the first time, the Indian women's cricket team lifted the ODI World Cup trophy. Harmanpreet Kaur's tears on the field, Jemimah Rodrigues's smile, Richa Ghosh's screams—a country's dream came true.
But this victory was not just for the 11 on the field. This victory wiped away the regrets of Mithali Raj's six World Cups, the disappointments of Jhulan Goswami's five finals, and the tears of the 2005 and 2017 finals. And this wave of emotion spread throughout the cricket world. The most emotional were those who had won the World Cup themselves—Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
Echoes of 1983 in Sachin's eyes
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. A member of the 2011 World Cup winning team. Under whose bat Indian cricket learned to dream. Within minutes of the victory, he posted on X:
"1983 taught our generation to dream big. Today, our girls did just that. This win will inspire countless girls to take to the field with a bat. Harman, Shefali, Deepti—you have made the entire country proud."
Sachin is said to have tears in his eyes. Because he knows that just as Kapil Dev's team of 1983 changed boys' cricket, Harmanpreet's team of 2025 will take girls' cricket to new heights. He told Harmanpreet over the phone, "This is not just your victory, it is the victory of millions of girls."
Kohli's tears and pride
Virat Kohli. Winner of the 2011 and 2024 T20 World Cups. He who is good at controlling his emotions, also broke down. His post on Instagram:
"The girls have created history. Years of hard work have paid off today. There can be no prouder moment as an Indian. Congratulations to Harman, the entire team. This win will inspire the next generation. Jai Hind!"
Kohli's throat tightened. He wasn't in the stadium, but his eyes welled up as he watched on TV. He later said, "I played in the 2011 final. But watching the girls' fight, it felt like they had suffered more than us."
Rohit's tears, Dhoni's silence
Rohit Sharma was at the stadium. Tears welled up in his eyes as he lifted the trophy. He later said, "Love you girls. You have fulfilled our dreams." Mahendra Singh Dhoni didn't post anything, but he called Harmanpreet and said, "This is bigger than my 2011. Because you are the first time."
Emotions on the field: Harman's tears, Shefali's screams
Harmanpreet Kaur, holding the trophy, said, “I have never cried on the field. But today... it was unreal.” Shafali Verma, who missed the start of the tournament due to injury, said, “This is for redress. I proved it.” Deepti Sharma, the player of the match, said, “My parents are sitting in the village watching. This is for them.”
Festivals across the country
From Delhi to Kolkata, from Mumbai to Chennai—processions on the streets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “This is the victory of New India.” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “Bengali girl Richa Ghosh has done us proud.” BCCI has announced a reward of Rs 51 crore. ICC has given $4.48 million.
What will this victory change?
Millions of girls will take to the field with bats.
Cricket academies will increase in villages and towns.
Sponsors will pour more money into women's cricket.
TV ratings will collapse.
Last words: The beginning of a dream
This win is not just a trophy, it is a revolution. As Sachin said, “1983 taught us to dream, 2025 will teach girls to dream.” Kohli said, “This is just the beginning.”
Harman, Shefali, Deepti—you didn't just win the World Cup, you changed the future of millions of girls. This emotion, this cry, this laughter—this is a new chapter in Indian cricket.
Champions! Jai Hind!
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