Ashwin lauds Harmanpreet Kaur ’s team: 'They remembered those who sprinkled the seeds — men never did'
Former India cricketer R Ashwin has lauded the Indian women’s team for their gesture of acknowledging past players after winning the ICC Women’s World Cup , saying it reflects the spirit and humility of true champions.
Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin said he found the moment “unbelievably good” when the current team celebrated their triumph with legends like Mithali Raj , Anjum Chopra and Jhulan Goswami , who were present at the DY Patil Stadium.
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“I am actually taking my hat out to the Indian women's team. The Indian men’s team has never done something like this. We say it in front of the media, but I’ve never seen them give credit to the previous generation. They always talk like ‘my generation team is better than yours’,” Ashwin said.
“But this women’s team… Anjum Chopra was there, Mithali Raj was there to see them in delight. You are the people who sprinkled the seeds and watered them — the seeds that are standing as winners today. I found that fascinating. I found that unbelievably good.”
Ashwin added that India’s World Cup victory was the culmination of years of struggle, resilience, and groundwork laid by generations of women cricketers.
“The victory that Indian women have got today has not been achieved today. It’s been a work of 25 years — probably three decades,” he said.
“What about your Diana Eduljis? What about your Sudha Shahs? What about your Anjum Chopras? What about your Jhulan Goswamis? Jhulan was there doing commentary yesterday. I’ve always said Jhulan Goswami is the Ishant Sharma or probably Zaheer Khan of women’s cricket.”
Ashwin also criticized the habit of constantly comparing men’s and women’s cricket, calling it a “conditioning” that must change.
“I am so sorry — the way they’ve been compared with men’s cricket is wrong. That’s conditioning. I want to change. All of you should change. Please don’t compare. This is a pure inspirational story.”
For Ashwin, what stood out most was the humility of Harmanpreet Kaur’s team in celebrating those who came before them.
“That’s why I find this women’s team amazing. After winning, you are on a real high — still, you remember to celebrate your previous generation of cricketers who were there in the dressing room. No one asked them to do it. That’s what makes them special,” he said.
Former India cricketer R Ashwin has lauded the Indian women’s team for their gesture of acknowledging past players after winning the ICC Women’s World Cup , saying it reflects the spirit and humility of true champions.
Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin said he found the moment “unbelievably good” when the current team celebrated their triumph with legends like Mithali Raj , Anjum Chopra and Jhulan Goswami , who were present at the DY Patil Stadium.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
“I am actually taking my hat out to the Indian women's team. The Indian men’s team has never done something like this. We say it in front of the media, but I’ve never seen them give credit to the previous generation. They always talk like ‘my generation team is better than yours’,” Ashwin said.
“But this women’s team… Anjum Chopra was there, Mithali Raj was there to see them in delight. You are the people who sprinkled the seeds and watered them — the seeds that are standing as winners today. I found that fascinating. I found that unbelievably good.”
Ashwin added that India’s World Cup victory was the culmination of years of struggle, resilience, and groundwork laid by generations of women cricketers.
“The victory that Indian women have got today has not been achieved today. It’s been a work of 25 years — probably three decades,” he said.
“What about your Diana Eduljis? What about your Sudha Shahs? What about your Anjum Chopras? What about your Jhulan Goswamis? Jhulan was there doing commentary yesterday. I’ve always said Jhulan Goswami is the Ishant Sharma or probably Zaheer Khan of women’s cricket.”
Ashwin also criticized the habit of constantly comparing men’s and women’s cricket, calling it a “conditioning” that must change.
“I am so sorry — the way they’ve been compared with men’s cricket is wrong. That’s conditioning. I want to change. All of you should change. Please don’t compare. This is a pure inspirational story.”
For Ashwin, what stood out most was the humility of Harmanpreet Kaur’s team in celebrating those who came before them.
“That’s why I find this women’s team amazing. After winning, you are on a real high — still, you remember to celebrate your previous generation of cricketers who were there in the dressing room. No one asked them to do it. That’s what makes them special,” he said.
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