India’s maiden Girls’s World Cup triumph on Sunday night time was marked by pleasure, emotion, and moments that went past the scoreboard. Because the celebrations carried on deep into the night time at DY Patil Stadium, one gesture from vice-captain Smriti Mandhana stood out.

Whereas each participant acquired their share of applause, Mandhana took to Instagram to understand a teammate who didn’t characteristic in a single sport throughout the match — pacer Arundhati Reddy. The 28-year-old bowler, nonetheless, was an brisk presence in staff huddles and within the dugout. She additionally featured within the celebratory posts made by Jemimah Rodrigues, particularly the one which went viral and was captioned “Are we nonetheless dreaming?”Sharing a narrative with a message for Reddy, Mandhana wrote, “Individuals from the skin gained’t know what you might have accomplished for this staff! To not get to play a match however nonetheless present up each session with a smile and care for everybody round! You’re our Star! @arundhati.reddy.” The message mirrored the shut relationship inside the squad that powered India to its first-ever Girls’s ODI World Cup title.

Smriti Mandhana’s IG story for her teammate

Reddy, although not a part of the enjoying XI in any of the 9 matches, was lauded by teammates for her spirit and assist all through the marketing campaign. On the sector, India sealed historical past with a commanding 52-run win over South Africa within the ultimate. Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma have been central to the efficiency. Shafali struck 87 on the high, whereas Deepti produced an all-round show with 54 runs and a five-wicket haul. India posted 298/7, the second-highest complete ever in a Girls’s ODI World Cup ultimate. In response, South Africa fought arduous by way of Laura Wolvaardt’s century, however Deepti’s 5 for 39 and sharp fielding efforts, together with a direct hit from Amanjot Kaur to expire Tazmin Brits, sealed the end result. The victory ended many years of heartbreak and introduced India their first ICC title in ladies’s cricket. But amid the historic celebrations, Mandhana’s phrases for Reddy highlighted the unseen contributions that formed this journey, sending a reminder that each World Cup win is constructed not simply on those that play, but in addition on those that carry the staff from behind the scenes.