When the Indian women's cricket team achieved their historic win at the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 — their first ever — the celebration was rightly grand. But one moment stood out for its heartfelt symbolism: presenting a specially signed jersey to Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, with the name “Namo 1” emblazoned on it.
The Gift & The Context
On November 5, 2025, the team visited the Prime Minister’s official residence in New Delhi, following their triumphant campaign.
The jersey, signed by every member of the squad, bore not only the number “1” but also the distinctive “Namo 1” tag — a clever and affectionate nod to the PM’s moniker.
This was more than just a souvenir: it was a symbolic gesture of gratitude and respect, celebrating both the team’s success and the broader story of Indian women’s sport rising to elite levels.
Why This Matters
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A landmark win
The team’s victory ended years of near-misses and heartbreaks, fulfilling the promise of India finally clinching the Women’s World Cup.
That adds rich emotional weight to the meeting and the gift. -
Representation and empowerment
In the meeting, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana remarked that encouragement from figures like the PM plays a real role in empowering women across fields.
The gesture, therefore, also stands as a signal: women’s sport matters, and its champions are being seen and honoured. -
Bridging sport and leadership
The PM’s interaction with players — from remarks about tattoos and faith (in the case of Deepti Sharma) to everyday habits of being grounded — gave a human touch to the meeting.
It underlines how sport, national pride, and personal stories interconnect.
Voices From The Meeting
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Captain Harmanpreet Kaur reflected on the previous meeting with the PM in 2017 — this time, coming in as World Cup champions made the moment extra special.
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Smriti Mandhana said the PM’s words were truly motivating, and that seeing women succeed in different fields is empowering for the country.
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Deepti Sharma recalled the 2017 meeting and said now the advice given then had been realised in this victory.
What It Symbolizes
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Achievement & acknowledgement: The jersey is both a celebration of victory and a mark of respect.
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National pride and unity: A women’s team stepping onto the summit of world cricket aligns with something much larger than sport.
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Inspiration for future generations: Young girls seeing such moments can believe: yes, this is possible.
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Sporting diplomacy: A moment where sport meets leadership and patriotism in one frame.
Final Thoughts
This meeting — and the jersey gift with the bold “Namo 1” inscription — captures more than a photo-op. It encapsulates the journey of a team that dared to believe, a nation that cheered them on, and a leader meeting his champions. It's a moment frozen in time, with serious symbolism for where Indian women’s sport stands and where it can go.
As we bask in the glow of the win, this little anecdote — the jersey, the signatures, the smiles — becomes a beloved anecdote in Indian cricket history.