Champions of Change: Modi Hails Cricketers and Para-Athletes for a Landmark Year

Updated: December 28, 2025 15:28

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed 2025 as a “memorable year” in sports, celebrating India’s men’s ICC Champions Trophy win, the women’s first-ever ICC World Cup triumph, and para-athletes’ medal haul at the World Para Athletics Championships. He also lauded the women’s blind cricket team’s historic T20 World Cup victory, calling it a proud year for India.

As 2025 draws to a close, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared it a “memorable year” for Indian sports, celebrating achievements that brought pride to the nation. In the 129th edition of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Modi praised the stellar performances of India’s men’s and women’s cricket teams alongside para-athletes who shone on the global stage.

Key Highlights

Men’s Cricket Glory: India’s men’s team clinched the ICC Champions Trophy, reaffirming its dominance in world cricket. Standout performances from senior players and emerging talents ensured the tricolour flew high in international arenas.

Historic Women’s Triumph: For the first time in history, the Indian women’s cricket team won the ICC Women’s World Cup, a landmark victory that Modi described as “a moment of immense pride for Bharat’s daughters.” The win has been hailed as a turning point for women’s sports in India.

Blind Cricket Achievement: Adding to the year’s milestones, India’s women’s blind cricket team captured the inaugural Blind T20 World Cup, showcasing resilience and determination.

Para-Athlete Success: India hosted the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, where Indian athletes secured multiple medals. Their achievements were celebrated by Modi as proof of India’s growing strength in inclusive sports.

National Pride: Modi emphasized that these victories were not just sporting milestones but symbols of India’s rising stature globally. He noted that the achievements of athletes across disciplines inspired millions and strengthened the nation’s collective spirit.

Context and Impact

Modi’s remarks come at a time when sports are increasingly seen as a reflection of India’s global aspirations. The dual triumphs in men’s and women’s cricket have galvanized fans and boosted the profile of women’s sports nationwide. Meanwhile, the success of para-athletes highlights India’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in athletics.

The Prime Minister’s acknowledgment of blind cricket champions further underscores the importance of diverse sporting platforms. By celebrating achievements across mainstream and adaptive sports, Modi reinforced the message that every athlete contributes to national pride.

Experts believe these victories will have long-term impacts: inspiring youth participation, encouraging investment in sports infrastructure, and strengthening India’s position as a host for global sporting events. With 2025 closing on such high notes, the stage is set for India to continue its upward trajectory in 2026.

Sources: NDTV Sports, Republic World, Free Press Journal, Tribune India, MSN News, NewKerala

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