The Dream Finally Realized: Jhulan Goswami's Tears and Mithali Raj's "Thank You" as Legends Lift World Cup Trophy

In one of the most emotionally powerful moments in cricket history, India's women's cricket legends Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami—the architects of modern Indian women's cricket who came agonizingly close to World Cup glory in 2005 and 2017—finally got to lift the trophy they had spent their entire careers chasing. As Harmanpreet Kaur's victorious team completed their lap of honor at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday night, they handed the gleaming silverware to the two icons who had built the foundation for this historic triumph, creating scenes so raw and emotional that even the broadcasters stayed on air past midnight to capture the moment.

The Moment Two Decades in the Making

Mithali Raj, India's all-time leading run-scorer with over 10,500 international runs across formats, and Jhulan Goswami, the only woman to take more than 200 ODI wickets, had devoted nearly two decades to Indian cricket. Both had led India to World Cup finals—in 2005 and 2017—only to fall short on both occasions. The 2005 loss to Australia and the 2017 heartbreak at Lord's against England had defined their careers as much as their incredible statistics.

On November 3, 2025, at 12:15 AM IST, their vigil finally ended.

As the victorious Indian team began their victory lap, they stopped first at the commentary box where Mithali was working as a broadcaster. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, tears streaming down her face, personally handed the World Cup trophy to her former captain and mentor.

Mithali, overwhelmed, could barely speak. "Thank you... I am so happy," she whispered, her voice breaking. Always a woman of few words, Mithali let her eyes do the talking as she lifted the trophy—not as a player, but as the spiritual leader whose vision and determination had made this moment possible.

Jhulan's Breakdown

If Mithali's response was quiet emotion, Jhulan Goswami's was unbridled joy mixed with years of pent-up longing. When the team reached Jhulan—also working as a broadcaster—the veteran fast bowler completely broke down.

She embraced Harmanpreet in a long, tearful hug, unable to contain her emotions. She then hugged Smriti Mandhana—one of the many players she had mentored during her playing days—and shared words with wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh before being handed the trophy.

Jhulan, who had taken 255 ODI wickets across an 18-year international career, lifted the trophy like "a child in a candy store," according to eyewitnesses. Her tears—of joy, relief, validation—represented not just personal fulfillment but the culmination of a journey that had begun when women's cricket in India was barely recognized.

Anjum Chopra and Reema Malhotra Join the Celebration

The team also honored Anjum Chopra, another former India captain (1995-2012) who had been instrumental in mentoring the current generation. Chopra, who had led India through some of their most challenging years when resources were scarce and recognition even scarcer, was visibly emotional as she held the trophy alongside Mithali and Jhulan.

The first person to receive the trophy from the team, however, was Reema Malhotra, another former India cricketer who had given her all during her playing days. Malhotra spontaneously sang "Sadda Haq," a famous song from the Bollywood movie Rockstar, with the victorious team—a moment of pure, unscripted joy that captured the spirit of the celebration.

Harmanpreet's Tribute to Her Mentors

In a press conference after the final, Harmanpreet spoke with deep emotion about what it meant to share this victory with Jhulan and Anjum, two players who had shaped her career.

"Jhulan Di was my biggest support. When I joined the team, she was leading it. She always supported me in my early days when I was very raw and didn't know much about cricket. I used to play with boys, and the school principal picked me up, and within a year, I started representing the country. In the initial days, Anjum (Chopra) provided me with a lot of support. I always remember how she used to take me along with her team. I learnt a lot from her and passed it on to my team. Both of them have been a great support for me. I am very grateful that I got to share a special moment with them. It was a very emotional moment. I think we all were waiting for this. Finally, we were able to touch this trophy," she said.

The gesture of inviting the legends onto the field wasn't just symbolic—it was acknowledgment that the current team's triumph belonged as much to the pioneers who had fought for recognition, resources, and respect when women's cricket in India was barely visible.

The Broadcasters Who Couldn't Stay Silent

Perhaps the most telling aspect of this moment was that even the broadcasters—typically trained to maintain professional distance—were left speechless. Mayanti Langer, one of India's most accomplished sports presenters, was visibly emotional and at a loss for words as the cameras captured the raw scenes of celebration.

The production team made the decision to stay on air well past midnight, abandoning their scheduled programming to focus on these five minutes of pure, unscripted emotion—a rare acknowledgment that this was bigger than any pre-planned broadcast schedule.

The Legacy Passed On

The scenes at the DY Patil Stadium represented more than just a victory lap—they were the perfect full circle of Indian women's cricket. From the pioneers of the 1970s who played for almost no money and barely any recognition, to Mithali and Jhulan's generation that brought visibility and professionalism, to Harmanpreet's squad that finally delivered the ultimate prize—the trophy symbolized decades of struggle, sacrifice, and unwavering belief.

Mithali had captained Harmanpreet, Smriti, and Deepti when they made their debuts. Jhulan had mentored bowlers like Renuka Singh and Pooja Vastrakar. Anjum had shown the way when women cricketers had to balance jobs and training because there was no financial support.

Now, that torch had been passed—not through defeat or retirement, but through triumph.

"Keep Faith": Harmanpreet's Message Even in the moment of greatest pressure during the final—when South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt was threatening to chase down India's 298 with a brilliant century—Harmanpreet revealed that she had channeled the lessons learned from her mentors.

"I was just telling them—keep faith. We have worked really hard for this. Opportunities will arise, and we must seize them. ODI cricket is long—there are many phases you have to tick off again and again. No doubt, they played very good cricket, but we were talking about this repeatedly. I kept giving one message to all players—keep faith, opportunities will come. We knew our spinners have always been our biggest strength. As soon as Deepti and Charani came, we would start getting wickets. The message was clear: just be positive," she explained.

That faith—instilled by Mithali and Jhulan through their examples of resilience in the face of repeated heartbreak—was what ultimately carried India over the line.

A Night That Transcended Sport

The images of Mithali lifting the trophy with tears in her eyes, Jhulan breaking down as she hugged her successors, and Anjum joining the celebration will endure as some of the most powerful in Indian sporting history. They represented not just the culmination of a tournament, but the fulfillment of a dream that began when women's cricket in India was played in near-obscurity, with barely any spectators or support.

For those five minutes at the DY Patil Stadium, past and present merged. The baton was officially passed. And the dream—Mithali's dream, Jhulan's dream, Anjum's dream, Diana Edulji's dream, Shanta Rangaswamy's dream—finally became reality.