India's maiden Women's World Cup win on Sunday night was marked by joy, emotion and moments that went beyond the scoreboard. Celebration continued till late night in DY Patil Stadium, a gesture from the vice-captain Smriti Mandhana stood out.
While each player received his share of applause, Mandhana Taking to Instagram, he praised his teammate who did not feature in a single game during the tournament – fast bowler Arundhati Reddy. However, the 28-year-old bowler was an energetic presence in the team huddle and dugout. She also appeared in celebratory posts made by Jemimah Rodriguez, particularly one that went viral and was titled “Are we still dreaming?”Sharing a story with a message for Reddy, Mandhana wrote, “People on the outside won't know what you have done for this team! Didn't get a chance to play a match, but still come to every session with a smile and take care of everyone! You are our star! @arundhati.reddy.” The message reflects the close bonds within the team that led India to its first-ever Women's ODI World Cup title.
Smriti Mandhana's IG story for her teammates
Reddy, although not a part of the playing eleven in any of the nine matches, was praised by her teammates for her spirit and support throughout the campaign. On the field, India created history with a stunning 52-run win over South Africa in the final. Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma were at the center of the demonstration. Shafali top scored with 87 runs, while Deepti gave an all-round performance with 54 runs and five wickets. India scored 298/7, the second highest ever score in a Women's ODI World Cup final. In reply, South Africa fought hard through a century from Laura Wolvaardt, but Deepti's 5 for 39 and sharp fielding efforts, including a direct hit by Amanjot Kaur to run out Tazmeen Britts, decided the result. The win ended decades of misery and gave India its first ICC title in women's cricket. Yet amid the historic celebrations, Mandhana's words to Reddy highlight the unseen contributions that have shaped this journey, reminding that every World Cup victory depends not just on those who play, but also those lifting the team behind the scenes.
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