‘Proud moment for Indian cricket’: PM Modi, President Murmu hails India after women’s historic Asia Cup triumph

PM Modi congratulates Team India NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu led the tributes on Monday as India celebrated their eighth women’s Asian title, with both praising Harmanpreet Kaur’s side for an unbeaten and dominant campaign.India beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday to extend their record in the continental tournament. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma powered India to 183/5 before Sree Charani and Deepti Sharma spearheaded a disciplined bowling effort that restricted Sri Lanka to 111 all out.The triumph drew congratulatory messages from across the country, with Modi highlighting the confidence and consistency shown by the side throughout the tournament.

‘Proud moment for Indian cricket’: PM Modi congratulates Team India

“Proud moment for Indian cricket! Congratulations to the women’s team for winning the Asia Cup. Their confidence, consistency and remarkable spirit was on full display throughout the tournament. May this triumph inspire millions of youngsters across the country to play more and shine,” PM Modi wrote on X.President Droupadi Murmu also congratulated the players and described the success as a source of inspiration, especially for young women.“My heartiest congratulations to all the members of Team India for winning the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026. They played brilliantly as a team throughout the tournament, winning all the matches. They have made the country proud. They are a source of great inspiration to our youth, especially our daughters. I am sure they will write many more inspiring chapters of President X’s success and excellence.”

Shukla, Dhami and Puri hail a dominant campaign

BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla also praised the team for maintaining an unbeaten record and appreciated each member for contributing to the title.“What a performance from our women in blue! We went unbeaten throughout the tournament and are now Asia Cup champions for the 8th time. Every player stepped up when needed. A complete team effort and a proud moment for Indian cricket. Well done Team India!” Shukla wrote on X.Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami praised the party’s discipline and confidence and called the achievement a matter of pride for the country.Union Petroleum and Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also praised India’s all-round display.“What a day for Indian sports! Another big win for India! A dominant show by Team India to beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs to lift Women’s Asia Cup Cricket 2026 in Dubai by a record eight! Brilliant batting. Power bowling. Electric field. Nerves of steel. Every department fired. Every moment belonged to India, champions! Take your bow. Roar louder!” Puri wrote on X.India’s win was built on a record 129-run opening partnership between Mandhana and Shafali. Mandhana scored 59 off 39 balls while Shafali hit 68 off 39. Sree Charani then took 4/20 and Deepti Sharma returned 3/19 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111.

Saikia explains India’s decision to present the trophy

The celebrations were marred by a politically sensitive moment at the trophy presentation as India did not receive the Women’s Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi.BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the decision was a show of solidarity with the men’s side, which had taken a similar stand after winning the 2025 Asia Cup.“Our men’s team won the Asia Cup a year and a half ago. And our whole situation, since the Pahalgam incident in April 2025, changed after that. So after that, there was pressure on us from our citizens that we should not maintain any relations with the neighboring country and not play cricket with them. But our government has a policy that we have to play against every country in multinational tournaments…” Saikia told IANS.“But that does not mean that we will abide by all the conditions that have been set for us. Our military conflict is still going on. One of the main leaders who is working against the interests of our country; we cannot take the trophy from him. The women’s team expressed solidarity with the decision taken by the men’s team last year,” he said.Saikia emphasized that this decision did not diminish the success.“It does not detract from our team’s performance. We have won all our matches in a one-sided fashion. Women’s cricket is growing so well in India and there is no greater proof than this. Our entire planning is focused on the ICC T20 World Cup in 2026. The happiest part of this tournament is how India has left everyone else far behind and has grown by leaps and bounds.”India’s focus now shifts to the Asian Games in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture, with Saikia saying the team’s immediate goal is clear.“There are no such plans at the moment. Right now our focus is on tomorrow as our team leaves for Japan via Delhi. So all our attention is on the Asian Games starting in Japan where our matches are scheduled for 18, 20 and 22. Our aim is to bring home a gold medal and that is our only aim.”