‘This will inspire generations’: Virat Kohli on India’s Women’s World Cup glory

WEB DESK: Virat Kohli led the wave of praise and celebration after India’s women’s cricket team lifted their first-ever ODI World Cup title with a 52-run win over South Africa in the final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.

Sharing an emotional message on Instagram, Kohli said he was immensely proud of the team’s achievement and the years of dedication that finally bore fruit. “The girls have created history and I couldn’t be more proud as an Indian to see the hard work of so many years come to life finally. They deserve all the applause and a big congratulations to Harman and the whole team for achieving this historic feat,” he wrote.

He also extended his appreciation to the entire squad and support staff, recognising their role in India’s remarkable campaign. “Also congratulations to the whole squad and the management for the work behind the scenes. Well done India. Enjoy the moment to the fullest. This will inspire generations of girls to take up the sport in our country. Jai Hind,” he added.

Kohli’s words struck a chord with fans across social media, many of whom echoed his pride and admiration for the team. India’s victory marked a defining moment for women’s cricket in the country, as they joined Australia, England and New Zealand among the elite list of World Cup winners.

The triumph was built on stellar performances from Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma. Shafali smashed 87 runs off 78 balls and took two wickets, while Deepti bagged five wickets to seal India’s commanding win. Shafali was named Player of the Match, and Deepti received the Player of the Tournament award.

For captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the win was the result of years of determination. She said the team wanted to “break the barrier” after past heartbreaks, adding that this was only the beginning of a new era for Indian women’s cricket.