At the Stroke of Midnight

At the stroke of midnight, under the floodlights of the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, the Indian women’s cricket team created history. Decades in the making, this triumph was not just about a trophy — it was about a nation finally seeing its daughters rise to the grandest stage, their dreams echoing through every street, every home, every heart that beat for India. What began as a distant dream nurtured by a few determined women—Anjum Chopra, Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami—blossomed into this defining moment. On 2nd November 2025, India defeated the South Africa women’s cricket team by 52 runs in the final of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, securing their maiden World Cup title.The scoreboard told a story of determination. India posted 298/7 batting first, powered by a breathtaking 87 from Shafali Verma and a composed 58 from Deepti Sharma. South Africa responded fiercely but were eventually bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs. This victory gave birth to the dreams of crores of children, especially young girls who now see cricket not as a ‘man’s game’ but as a canvas where courage, grace, and grit paint equal strokes. What intrigued me the most was what followed the thunderous cheers. After the cup was lifted, it wasn’t held just by the winning team. It was passed, reverently, to the women who started it all—Anjum Chopra, Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami. That gesture, that passing of the torch from pioneers to champions, stood out. It was a full circle.And then came the moment that defined the spirit of our nation. The Indian team walked across the pitch, embraced the losing team, and offered comfort. No taunts, no arrogance, just respect. That, I felt, was true sportsmanship. It reminded me of our history, the Kurukshetra war, where adversaries would still meet after the day's war, share a meal, and exchange pleasantries. Our Sanātana Dharma has always taught us to uphold dignity even amidst rivalry, to respect even in victory, and to fight without hatred..This victory is more than sport. It is a lens through which we can see social change. India is the first non-Western nation to win the Women’s World Cup. Their journey was far from smooth; they lost three matches in succession early on in the tournament. From that low point, they rose to stun the world by chasing a mammoth target of 339 runs to beat the mighty Australia women’s cricket team in the semi-final, the highest successful chase in women’s ODI history.So when they finally lifted the trophy, it wasn’t just for themselves; it felt like it was for every girl who heard ‘You can’t’ and said ‘Watch me’ and for every parent who said ‘Go for it’. For every game played on a dusty ground, every morning run, every late-night practice. And in that moment, I saw unity: We will continue the handshakes, the pleasantries, the respect—but only to those who truly deserve them. Because this is sport shaped by honour.As celebrations continue, let us remember trophies will gather dust, but the grace with which we win and the humility with which we share our joy will shine forever. India’s daughters have shown us that it is possible to be fierce and kind, strong and gentle, victorious yet humane. And as the echoes of that midnight cheer fade into memory, one thing remains eternal: ‘the belief that when women rise, an entire nation soars’.

At the Stroke of Midnight

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