"Bigger than any other World Cup we have won" - R. Ashwin's stunning claim after India's Women's World Cup 2025 triumph

Legendary India spinner R. Ashwin stated that the Women in Blue’s triumph in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 is bigger than any other major cricket tournament victory achieved by the nation. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side created history on Sunday, November 2, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, defeating South Africa by 52 runs after posting 298 on the board to clinch their first-ever World Cup title.

Reacting to the historic achievement during a discussion on his YouTube channel on Monday, November 3, Ashwin described it as an even bigger and more colossal feat than any World Cup India has ever won. He said:

“I would put this and rate this as an even bigger and colossal achievement than any other World Cup we have won. Any other World Cup that has been won, this is an even more colossal achievement. Because this has the ability to bring girls out there to practice the game of cricket and take up the sport seriously as a career option. And it is going to change the mindset and conditioning of everybody associated with Indian women and Indian women’s cricket. So it is an even bigger achievement.”

On the night of the final, Shafali Verma was named Player of the Match for her all-round performance, scoring 87 runs and taking two wickets.

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“I think that place and that time have truly arrived” - R. Ashwin’s massive statement on women’s cricketers

In the same discussion, R. Ashwin also shared an anecdote from around 2017-18, recalling a time when people in Hyderabad hardly recognized Mithali Raj. He noted how the women’s team has now reached a point where it has truly earned its place and time in the spotlight. He shared:

“Many years ago, Ambati Rayudu was playing. It was around 2017-18 then, a sensation. He was playing a match at the Gymkhana Stadium in Hyderabad. The entire stadium was packed, and everyone was cheering. But Mithali Raj was already an Indian cricketing superstar. She was there on the ground, practicing. Not many people even knew that it was Mithali Raj.”

“So my point here is, this women’s team has brought us to this point. You know those campaigns we’ve seen so many times saying it’s not about the jersey you are wearing? You can wear Deepti, you can wear Smriti. I think that place and that time have truly arrived. It has arrived,” Ashwin added.

Meanwhile, during India’s historic campaign, all-rounder Deepti Sharma was named the Player of the Tournament for scoring 215 runs and claiming 22 wickets.