Visit schools and inspire young students, PM Modi tells India women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet

Dubai: World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur has had a packed schedule lately. Following India’s historic triumph at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, she revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged the team to visit schools and motivate young students.

“He asked us to visit schools and inspire students whenever we get the chance. I’m grateful I had that opportunity today — it was a truly heartwarming moment,” Harmanpreet shared after being felicitated at a school in Chennai on Thursday.

India clinched the title by defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. With this victory, Harmanpreet became only the fourth Indian captain — after Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma — to lift a World Cup trophy.

The skipper, who called Test cricket her favourite format, named Virender Sehwag as her biggest inspiration. Addressing young girls, she emphasised the importance of perseverance and discipline:

“Work hard and stay focused. Discipline and dedication have shaped my journey.”

At 35, Harmanpreet expressed immense pride in the rising popularity of women’s cricket across India. “It’s great to see people now talking about cricket without comparisons. Everyone enjoys the game — the viewership is high, and stadiums are full. It’s a proud moment for us.”

India’s World Cup journey, though ultimately glorious, was far from smooth. The team faced sharp criticism after losing three consecutive league matches to South Africa, Australia, and England. However, the Women in Blue bounced back in style — beating Australia in a high-scoring semi-final thriller and then outclassing South Africa in the final.

For Harmanpreet, moments like meeting students and inspiring the next generation underscore the true significance of India’s hard-fought World Cup win. “These experiences remind us how much our victory means to others and how it can inspire future cricketers,” she said.