Last evening, Indian women, frequent target of jokes, jibes and threats in a country of misogyny, have won the World Cup in the game the country holds dearest – cricket. Each player’s journey is a testament to their grit. In a world which has little to celebrate, the dream eleven have given Indians a rare moment of togetherness.A man waves the Indian tricolour in celebration after the Indian cricket team won the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, near the India Gate, in New Delhi, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. Photo: PTIIndia’s Deepti Sharma, second right, celebrates with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, right, Kranti Gaud, second left, and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh after taking the wicket of South Africa’s Annerie Dercksen during the ICC Women’s World Cup final ODI cricket match between India Women and South Africa Women, at the DY Patil Stadium, in Navi Mumbai, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. Photo: PTI.India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol and Arundhati Reddy celebrate after winning the ICC Women’s World Cup final ODI cricket match between India Women and South Africa Women, at the DY Patil Stadium, in Navi Mumbai, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. Photo: PTI.India’s Amanjot Kaur takes the catch of South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt during the ICC Women’s World Cup final ODI cricket match between India Women and South Africa Women, at the DY Patil Stadium, in Navi Mumbai, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. Photo: PTI.India’s Shafali Verma, left, celebrates with captain Harmanpreet Kaur after taking the wicket of South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp during the ICC Women’s World Cup final ODI cricket match between India Women and South Africa Women, at the DY Patil Stadium, in Navi Mumbai, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. Photo: PTI.India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur, left, and vice captain Smriti Mandhana during the ICC Women’s World Cup final ODI cricket match between India Women and South Africa Women, at the DY Patil Stadium, in Navi Mumbai, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. Photo: PTI.India’s players celebrate the wicket of South Africa’s Sune Luus during the ICC Women’s World Cup final ODI cricket match between India Women and South Africa Women, at the DY Patil Stadium, in Navi Mumbai, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. Photo: PTI.