R Ashwin hails India Women’s team for humble gesture, says 'Men’s side never did this'

Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin applauds the India women’s cricket team for honouring former stars after their World Cup 2025 triumph, noting that the men’s team has never made such a gesture.

Ravichandran Ashwin (Image Credit: BCCI)

In the aftermath of India’s historic Women’s World Cup 2025 triumph, a special gesture from Harmanpreet Kaur and her team stole the spotlight, and earned praise from veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. The India women’s team, moments after lifting their maiden ICC title, dedicated the victory to former players who had paved the way for their success. This emotional act of gratitude drew admiration from across the cricketing community, with Ashwin calling it “something truly special.”

A gesture that redefined celebration

Ashwin, known for his thoughtful takes on the game, highlighted how the women’s team had done what no Indian side had before, turning a celebration into a tribute. During the victory ceremony in Navi Mumbai, the current players invited legends like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami to join them on stage and hold the trophy. It was a symbolic moment that acknowledged the decades of effort, sacrifice, and resilience that shaped the path for today’s champions.

Read Also: 7 Indians who captained India in all formats (men's)

Ashwin remarked that such humility and awareness of history were rare in modern sport. He noted that while the men’s team has often celebrated iconic wins, rarely have they paused to share the spotlight with those who came before. The women’s team, he said, had set an example, one rooted in gratitude rather than just glory.

Cricket fans flooded social media with appreciation for the gesture, calling it “a victory for every generation of Indian women’s cricket.” Many pointed out that this moment transcended the boundary lines, showing that true greatness lies not only in winning trophies but in remembering the journey that made victory possible.

“Even yesterday, the Indian team gave the trophy to Mithali Raj. Why did they do that? I actually take my hat off to the Indian women’s team for that. The Indian men’s team has never done something like this. Sometimes in front of the media, we say things because that’s the media trend, that this person did it or that person did it. But I haven’t often seen anyone giving true credit to the previous generation. Usually, it becomes about ‘my generation’s team is good’ and 'your generation’s team wasn’t that great.’ I’ve seen a lot of such discussions,” said Ashwin.

Also read: Shafali Verma rises again: India’s young star delivers dream all-round show in World Cup 2025 Final

Share