PM Modi congratulates Team India

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu led the tributes on Monday as India celebrated the women’s eighth Women’s Asia Cup title, with both praising Harmanpreet Kaur’s side for an unbeaten and dominant campaign.India defeated 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.The triumph prompted congratulatory messages from across the country, with Modi highlighting the confidence and consistency shown by the side throughout the tournament.

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

“A proud moment for Indian cricket! Congratulations to the Women’s team on winning the Asia Cup. Their confidence, consistency and remarkable spirit were 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, describing the achievement as a source of inspiration, particularly for young women.“My heartiest congratulations to all the members of Team India on winning Women’s T20 Asia Cup Championship 2026. They played superbly as a team throughout the tournament, winning all the matches. They have done the country proud. They are a source of great inspiration for our youth, especially our daughters. I am sure, they will script many more inspiring chapters of success and excellence,” the President’s official handle posted on X.

Shukla, Dhami and Puri hail dominant campaign

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla also praised the team for maintaining an unbeaten record and credited every member for contributing to the title.“What a performance by our Women in Blue! Undefeated throughout the tournament and now Asia Cup champions for the 8th time Every player stepped up when required. A complete team effort and a proud moment for Indian cricket. Well played, Team India!” Shukla wrote on X.Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami praised the side’s discipline and confidence, calling the achievement a matter of pride for the country.Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri also lauded India’s all-round display.“What a day it was for Indian sports! Another big win for India! A dominating show by Team India to defeat Sri Lanka by 72 runs to lift the Women’s Asia Cup Cricket 2026 in Dubai for a record eight time! Batting brilliance. Bowling firepower. Electric fielding. Nerves of steel. Every department fired. Every moment belonged to India. Take a bow, Champions! You’ve made the tricolour fly higher and a billion cheers roar louder!” Puri wrote on X.India’s victory was built around a record 129-run opening partnership between Mandhana and Shafali. Mandhana scored 59 off 39 balls, while Shafali made 68 off 39. Sree Charani then claimed 4/20 and Deepti Sharma returned 3/19 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111.

Saikia explains India’s decision over trophy presentation

The celebrations were accompanied by a politically sensitive moment during 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 position 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 April 2025 Pahalgam incident, changed after that. So, after that, there was pressure on us from our citizens that we shouldn’t keep any relations with our neighboring country and not play cricket with them. But our government has a policy that we must play against every country in multinational tournaments...” Saikia told IANS.“But that doesn’t mean we will follow every condition laid out for us. Our military conflict is still ongoing. One of the main leaders who is working against the interests of our country; we can’t receive the trophy from him. The Women’s team has expressed solidarity with the decision taken by the men’s team last year,” he said.Saikia stressed that the decision did not diminish the achievement.“It doesn’t diminish the performances of our team. We have won all our matches in a one-sided manner. Women’s cricket has been growing so well in India and there’s no bigger evidence of that than this. Our whole planning is geared towards the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. The happiest part of this tournament is how India has left everyone else behind and surged so far ahead.”India’s focus now shifts to the Asian Games in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture, with Saikia saying the team’s immediate objective is clear.“Currently, there are no such plans. Right now, our focus is on tomorrow, as our team will be leaving for Japan via Delhi. So, all our attention is set on the Asian Games starting in Japan, where our matches are scheduled for the 18th, 20th and 22nd. Our goal is to bring home the gold medal, and that is our sole objective.”