Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin showered praise on India’s Women team after they included former players like Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, Reema Malhotra and Anjum Chopra, who were all part of the broadcast team, in their celebrations after winning the World Cup.
India defeated South Africa by 52 runs at Dr. DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai to write history on Sunday. Ashwin highlighted that dedicating a win to former players is one thing and celebrating with them is another. The former all-rounder noted that even the men’s team hasn’t done anything like that in the past.
Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “This victory of the Indian team, how do you see it? Back in 2016-17, when Harmanpreet Kaur played that incredible innings against Australia, after that came the heartbreak against England. Jhulan Goswami was part of that World Cup. Mithali Raj was part of that World Cup.”
“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,” he added.
Ashwin said the seeds of this win were sown a long time ago and former players have played an instrumental role in the success of the women’s team over the years.
“This women’s team, Anjum Chopra was there, Mithali Raj was there, and by handing them the trophy, they allowed them to see with joy that the seeds they once planted and nurtured are now standing tall as winners today. I found that fascinating, unbelievably good. Because this victory that the Indian women achieved, it didn’t come today. It’s the result of 25 years of work, maybe two or even three decades.”
The Indian team would look to build on this win and keep up the good form.
