The title slipped out of their grasp but the Indian women’s cricket team earned plaudits aplenty for its gritty World Cup campaign with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the iconic Sachin Tendulkar leading the tributes.
The Indian women’s team lost by nine runs to England in a tense summit clash of the World Cup on July 23, finishing runners-up for the second time — the previous being the 2005 edition.
“Our women cricketers gave their best today. They have shown remarkable tenacity & skill through the World Cup. Proud of the team! @BCCIWomen,” Mr. Modi tweeted.
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Indian men’s team coach Ravi Shastri said Mithali Raj and Co. can take pride for a campaign, during which they beat six-time champions Australia in the semifinals.
“Chin up girls. You have done the country proud. Well done #TeamIndia,” he tweeted.
Former cricketers, led by Tendulkar, also hailed the team for their overall performance in the tournament.
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“Feel for all of you, #WomenInBlue! You were good throughout but sometimes it is not meant to be. Congrats England on winning #WWC17Final!,” said Tendulkar, who was part of India’s 2003 World Cup team that had lost the finals to Australia.
Virender Sehwag wrote: “Super proud of the girls. Tough luck today but womens cricket in India has truly arrived. Thank you girls. Salute your spirit.”
Former batsman VVS Laxman also said the country is proud of the way they performed in the tournament.
Saluting the team, former spinner Bishan Bedi wrote: “All said/done let’s salute @M_Raj03’s team fr making Ind aware o Women Power n International Crkt-hold yur chin up girls-V r proud o U all!!.”
Gautam Gambhir and Mohammed Kaif too paid rich tributes to the side.
“You made us dream, You made us believe, We’re proud of all you girls! Real honor to hve watched u play! #WWC17Final #WomenInBlue,” Gambhir tweeted.
“Congrats England but so so proud of our girls for winning a billion hearts. This will be a defining moment in women’s cricket,” tweeted Kaif.
Olympic bronze—medallist shooter Gagan Narang tweeted the following.
Five-time World Champion M.C. Mary Kom also saluted the team for their overall display at the World Cup.
“My SALUTE to our Indian Women’s Cricket team and supporting teams for an excellent performance #WomenInBlue #WWC17,” she wrote.
India’s first Olympic medallist woman wrestler Sakshi Malik echoed the sentiment.
“No matter a game won or lost but you win billions of hearts !! You made all of us proud,” the Rio Games bronze-medallist said.
Senior Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin lauded the team’s grit.
“@BCCIWomen you girls were amazing and never gave up till the end. This I am sure will change the landscape of women’s cricket,” he said.
Former BCCI president Anurag Thakur also took to social media to hail the team for their inspiring journey.
Actor Akshay Kumar shared a photograph with the team’s players and captioned it, “Even Broken Hearts Can Laugh!! These Women have started a revolution & I couldn’t be more proud.”