Navi Mumbai, November 03, 2025 – In a moment that transcended sport and celebrated legacy, the newly crowned World Champion Indian team completed their victory lap not just for themselves, but for the giants upon whose shoulders they stood. In a gesture of profound respect, the players handed the coveted ICC Women’s ODI World Cup trophy to legends Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, the two stalwarts whose decades of service had fallen just short of this ultimate prize.
Passing the Torch: A Dream Fulfilled
As the celebrations erupted at the DY Patil Stadium, the team’s victory lap became a symbolic passing of the torch. The trophy, a symbol of a dream realized, was first presented to Mithali Raj—the highest run-scorer in women’s ODIs and the captain who first led India to a World Cup final in 2017.
The usually stoic Mithali, a woman of few words, was visibly overwhelmed. “Thank you,” she said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, “I am so happy.” For the batters like Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana who had debuted under her leadership, this was the culmination of a journey she had charted for Indian cricket.
The emotion overflowed when the trophy reached Jhulan Goswami, the highest wicket-taker in women’s ODIs. The ‘Chakda Express’ could no longer hold back, tears streaming down her face as she shared a long, emotional hug with captain Harmanpreet Kaur. In that embrace was the weight of two decades of relentless effort, near-misses in 2005 and 2017, and the ultimate validation.
Honouring the Pioneers
The tribute extended to other pioneers who paved the way. Former captain Anjum Chopra and all-rounder Reema Malhotra were also honoured with the trophy, with Malhotra even leading the team in a rousing rendition of “Sadda Haq,” an anthem of rightful claim.
This was more than a celebration; it was an acknowledgment. It was the new generation telling the old, “This is your victory as much as it is ours.” The image of Mithali and Jhulan, finally holding the World Cup trophy they so richly deserved, will be etched in memory as the most poignant snapshot of a historic night—a perfect circle of sacrifice, struggle, and ultimate triumph.
