PM Modi Requested Us to Visit Schools and Motivate Students: World Champion Harmanpreet Kaur

Chennai, November 13, 2025: Indian women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur was honoured in Chennai on Thursday for leading India to its historic first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title earlier this month. During the ceremony, she revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally congratulated the team and encouraged them to inspire the nation’s youth by visiting schools and motivating students.

Speaking at the felicitation event held at Velammal Nexus School, Harmanpreet recalled the team’s unforgettable triumph on November 2, when India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. The win etched her name alongside legendary captains Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma as one of the few Indian leaders to lift a World Cup trophy.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: The captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, Harmanpreet Kaur, arrives at Chennai’s Velammal Nexus School to receive recognition for her outstanding performance in leading India to victory in the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. (Source: ANI, November 13, 2025)

PM Modi’s Inspiring Message to Team India

During her address, Harmanpreet shared insights from the team’s meeting with Prime Minister Modi following their World Cup triumph. “Whenever we had the opportunity, he requested us to visit schools and motivate youngsters. I am grateful that I got that chance today—it was a very heartwarming moment for me,” she said, highlighting how the Prime Minister’s words motivated the team to become role models for the younger generation.

Harmanpreet’s remarks reflected her sense of gratitude and her commitment to using India’s World Cup victory as a platform to inspire students and promote women’s sports across the country.

Harmanpreet’s Favorites: MS Dhoni and Test Cricket

At the event, the World Cup-winning captain interacted with hundreds of enthusiastic students. When asked to choose her favourite between Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, Harmanpreet smiled and picked the former India skipper Dhoni, praising his calm leadership and game sense. “He’s my favourite cricketer and a true inspiration,” she said.

The 35-year-old cricketer also expressed her deep love for Test cricket, calling it the “purest form of the game.” She cited former India opener Virender Sehwag as one of her biggest inspirations and advised young girls to “work hard and stay focused,” emphasizing that discipline, dedication, and consistency have been the foundation of her own career.

India’s Remarkable World Cup Journey

India’s road to the 2025 World Cup title was far from easy. After suffering three consecutive defeats in the league stage against South Africa, Australia, and england, the team faced severe criticism. However, under Harmanpreet’s determined leadership, the Women in Blue made a stunning comeback—first defeating Australia in a high-scoring semifinal, then outclassing South Africa in a dominant final performance.

Reflecting on the team’s journey, Harmanpreet said moments like these—meeting students, inspiring young girls, and witnessing the growing passion for women’s cricket—reaffirmed the impact of their hard-fought success. “It’s inspiring to see people discussing women’s cricket with the same enthusiasm as men’s matches. Stadiums are full, fans are excited—it’s truly a proud moment for all of us,” she added.

The Chennai felicitation marked yet another milestone in the captain’s illustrious career. As she continues to lead by example both on and off the field, Harmanpreet Kaur stands as a symbol of perseverance, leadership, and the rising power of women’s sports in India.