"Men's team has never done it": Ravi Ashwin hails India Women for honoring veterans after World Cup win
The Women in Blue scripted a defining moment for women’s cricket in India at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian team endured a topsy-turvy campaign on their way to the knockouts. A heroic knock from Jemimah Rodrigues helped the hosts break Australia’s dominance in the tournament, setting up an ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final clash against South Africa Women. Meanwhile, the all-round brilliance of Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma powered India to their first-ever ODI World Cup title. The team’s celebration of the historic win has since drawn the attention of former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
Ravi Ashwin moved by the celebration of Mithali Raj, Anjum Chopra, and Jhulan Goswami after ICC Women's World Cup 2025 victory
Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin lavished praise on captain Harmanpreet Kaur for a gesture after the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 final that left former captains Mithali Raj and Anjum Chopra visibly emotional. Sharing his thoughts on his YouTube channel, Ashwin remarked that the dignified act displayed by the India Women skipper was something even the men’s team, across all their historic wins, had rarely showcased with such grace and humility.
"Even yesterday, the Indian team gave the trophy to Mithali Raj. Why did they do that? I actually take my hat off to the Indian women's team for that. The Indian men's team has never done something like this. Sometimes in front of the media, we say things because that's the media trend - that 'this person did this' or 'that person did that'. But I haven't often seen anyone giving true credit to the previous generation. Usually, it becomes about 'my generation's team is good' and 'your generation's team wasn't that great.' I've seen a lot of such discussions," Ashwin said.
Mithali Raj and Anjum Chopra, who had led the Indian women’s side during their previous appearances in ICC Women's ODI World Cup finals, along with legendary pacer Jhulan Goswami, were present at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday as part of the broadcast panel. As the newly crowned champions celebrated their hostoric triumph on the field, Harmanpreet Kaur invited the three trailblazers to the centre and handed them the Women's World Cup 2025 trophy, a moment that left the former stalwarts deeply moved.
Ravi Ashwin noted that the gesture by India Women was symbolic of how the current generation recognises and honours the struggles and contributions of those who built the platform they stand on today. He said it reflected not just sporting excellence, but also a sense of gratitude and acknowledgement for the legacy that made this victory possible.
"This women's team - Anjum Chopra was there, Mithali Raj was there - and by handing them the trophy, they allowed them to see with joy that the seeds they once planted and nurtured are now standing tall as winners today. I found that fascinating, unbelievably good. Because this victory that the Indian women achieved-it didn't come today. It's the result of 25 years of work, maybe two or even three decades," Ashwin added.
The former Indian spinner also reflected on how India Women’s recent triumph is a “colossal” victory. As the team’s first-ever World Cup title, the 2025 win is being compared to Kapil Dev and his team's iconic 1983 World Cup triumph. However, Ravi Ashwin described Harmanpreet Kaur and her squad’s achievement in Navi Mumbai as even greater than the men’s 1983 and 2011 ODI World Cup victories. Meanwhile, the Indian women’s team will return to competitive cricket in February next year, when they tour Australia for three ODIs, three T20Is, and a day-night Test.
