Follow UsNot once but twice Mithali Raj, India’s greatest ever women’s cricketer, came agonizingly close to lifting the 50-over World Cup title before ultimately enduring heartbreak. She led the side to the final in 2005 in Centurion and then once again in 2017 at Lord’s, only to gut-wrenchingly fall short on both occasions.
Yet India’s historic victory tasted just as sweet for Mithali on November 2 (Sunday) as not only was she present at the stadium as a broadcaster, but she also witnessed one of her proteges in Harmanpreet Kaur take the team over the line to help Indian women’s cricket achieve its single greatest moment in history.
While lavishing praise on the players, Mithali, in the aftermath of the historic win, credited the BCCI and then-secretary Jay Shah (now ICC Chair) for enabling this historic win by putting in place a structure that ensured upliftment of women’s cricket in the country.
“What happened last night is a testament to the fact that when you give wings to a dream, dreams do come true,” Mithali wrote on X today.
“The girls were brilliant, but one must acknowledge the support behind this watershed moment, four years of planning and belief. When @JayShah Sir was the BCCI Secretary, the
"@BCCI introduced initiatives that changed the course of women’s cricket, from equal match fees and the Women’s Premier League to a stronger domestic structure, India A tours, and a thriving U19 pathway.
“Now, the @ICC continues to shape the women’s game, with the World Cup being hosted at home and the prize pool raised to 13.88 million dollars, a fourfold increase that shows how far the game has come.
“For every person standing behind a young girl who dares to dream of wearing India’s colours, this is a pivotal moment, a reminder that dreams do come true when those dreams get the support they truly deserve.”
In a separate post on X in the immediate aftermath of the win, Mithali spoke about her own emotions as she witnessed the Women in Blue finally get their hands on the trophy that’s eluded the country for decades.
“I’ve seen this dream for over two decades, to watch the Indian women lift that World Cup trophy. Tonight, that dream finally came true,” the former India captain wrote.
“From the heartbreak of 2005 to the fight of 2017, every tear, every sacrifice, every young girl who picked up a bat believing we belong here, it all led to this moment.
“To the new champions of world cricket, you didn’t just win a trophy, you won every heart that ever beat for Indian women’s cricket. Jai Hind.”