Chandigarh erupted in jubilation on Friday as the city welcomed home two of its own, Amanjot Kaur and Harleen Deol, members of the Indian women's cricket team that clinched the 2025 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup. The players were greeted at Chandigarh Airport with a hero's welcome, complete with the vibrant beats of the dhol, showers of sweets, and enthusiastic cheers from family, fans, and prominent leaders of Punjab's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian side created history last Sunday by defeating South Africa in the final held in Navi Mumbai, securing India's first-ever 50-over Women's World Cup title. India won the final by 52 runs. The victory marked a defining moment for women's cricket in India, and the celebrations in Chandigarh mirrored the immense pride and emotion associated with this achievement.

Punjab's Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and AAP MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer were among the dignitaries present at the airport to receive the World Cup champions. They honored Kaur and Deol with sweets and shawls. The atmosphere was electric as family members and fans eagerly awaited their arrival.

Amanjot Kaur, visibly moved by the warm reception, acknowledged the collective effort behind the victory, stating, "This victory is of entire India, entire Punjab". She also shared insights into the team's unwavering focus and determination throughout the tournament, revealing that the team members were so keyed up that they "didn't sleep after the semi-final win over mighty Australia" and "did not sleep even after winning the final". India had beaten Australia by five wickets in the semi-final.

Harleen Deol expressed deep gratitude for her family's constant support, which she credited as a key factor in her success. She emphasized the importance of families supporting their daughters’ dreams, encouraging girls to "follow their passion and work hard". "It was a dream to be welcomed in such a way, and after winning the World Cup, I was waiting to experience this moment," Deol added.

Satwinder Kaur, Amanjot's cousin, fondly reminisced about Amanjot's childhood, recalling how she played cricket with boys and even broke a few windows in the neighborhood. She highlighted the family's unwavering support in helping her excel.

The two players were then escorted home in an open vehicle, accompanied by their families, Minister Harpal Cheema, and other well-wishers, as the celebrations continued.

Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the entire team at his residence, commending them for their resilience and remarkable comeback after a challenging period. He also lightheartedly mentioned Amanjot's juggling catch in the final.

The Punjab government is expected to announce a reward of ₹1.50 crore each for the three state cricketers, while the Punjab Cricket Association has announced it will honor Amanjot and captain Harmanpreet with ₹11 lakh each.

India secured their maiden World Cup title after defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Shafali Verma was named Player of the Match for her impressive performance, scoring 87 runs and taking two wickets. Deepti Sharma was awarded Player of the Tournament for her consistent performance with both bat and ball, becoming the highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets. The winning team received a record prize money of ₹37.3 crore, marking a 239 percent increase from the previous tournament.