New Delhi: Fresh off India’s historic Women’s World Cup victory, all-rounder Deepti Sharma expressed her joy and pride after meeting President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it a moment she will cherish forever.

The star cricketer, who was named Player of the Tournament for her stellar performances, said it felt surreal to see the nation’s top leaders acknowledging their achievement.

“Everyone has been waiting for this moment for a long time. The dream of all Indians — and mine too — has come true by winning the World Cup trophy. History has been created, and I think everyone will remember this for a long time,” Deepti told.

‘DSP, You Tell Us’: PM Modi’s Personal Touch

Deepti revealed that she was pleasantly surprised when the Prime Minister affectionately addressed her as ‘DSP’, a nickname derived from her initials.

“It felt wonderful when the first words he said were, ‘DSP, you tell us’. I liked the way he addressed me like that,” she said with a smile.

The 28-year-old shared that the PM was remarkably well-informed about the players, even recalling details from her personal life — including her Instagram bio, her Hanuman Ji tattoo, and her love for paneer.

“He even knew that I write ‘Jai Shri Ram’ on Instagram — that was a big thing for me. Hearing that made me feel really good,” she added.

Faith, Motivation and a Special Connection

The cricketer also shared how her devotion to Lord Hanuman keeps her grounded and motivated.

“Whenever I feel low, I remember Hanuman Ji and come out of that phase. He gives me power and energy,” Deepti said, adding that she felt a spiritual connection when Modi Ji spoke about his own faith in Hanuman.

The PM, she said, urged the women’s team to keep inspiring young girls and support those from underprivileged backgrounds who dream of playing cricket.

“He told us that wherever we go, we should support young girls — especially those from areas where they don’t have many opportunities to play — so that India’s name can shine in sports,” she recounted.

Changing Mindsets Through Cricket

Deepti believes the World Cup triumph has sparked a positive change in societal attitudes toward women’s sports.

“Now even in families, parents are saying that they want their daughters to play. Everyone’s thinking has evolved. I truly believe that many individuals’ interests have grown — I’ve felt this change over the years,” she said.

Acknowledging BCCI’s Role in Women’s Cricket

Expressing gratitude to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Deepti praised the governing body’s efforts in promoting women’s cricket through initiatives like the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and renewed focus on Test cricket.

“There have already been numerous improvements, thanks to the BCCI’s strong support for women’s cricket. The WPL has started, and even Test cricket is being played. The support from BCCI is a great thing for the growth of women’s cricket,” she concluded.