The Indian women鈥檚 cricket team, currently in England for T20I and ODI series, received a warm welcome at a community gathering at India House.
The team and support staff, led by head coach Amol Muzumdar, gathered at the High Commission of India grounds on Saturday evening.
Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, welcomed the 鈥済enuine heroes鈥 who inspire Indians worldwide with their performance, passion, and commitment to cricket.
鈥淲hat they have done is to revolutionise sport and the idea of participation in everything in India,鈥 said Doraiswami.
鈥淭oday, young Indian women feel they can achieve anything thanks to you and the previous generation of cricket players鈥 You possess magic and share it with us every time you play, for which we are very grateful,鈥 he said to the squad.
鈥淥ur cricket team, our hockey team, and other sports teams represent India at its best. These aren鈥檛 just our top athletes; they are girls who represent India from every corner of the country, carrying the message of opportunity that sports offer,鈥 he stated.
Shivani Uberoi, the Indian-origin Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Lead at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), emphasised the cricketers鈥 influence in both nations.
鈥淭he talent you possess makes every match exciting鈥 You are role models not just for girls in India but also for girls in England and everywhere. So, thank you so much,鈥 said Uberoi.
UK Immigration Minister Seema Malhotra highlighted how the Indian team鈥檚 achievements are celebrated vigorously among diaspora communities in Britain.
鈥淚n today鈥檚 modern world, physical wellbeing is crucial for mental wellbeing and in building leadership and character. In all these areas, you are a true inspiration,鈥 the British Indian minister said.
All-rounder Jemima Rodrigues showcased her singing talent by performing a few lines of 鈥榊eh Dosti鈥 from 鈥楽holay鈥 during a light-hearted conversation with India鈥檚 Deputy High Commissioner to the UK, Sujit Ghosh.
鈥淭he first support always came from here [England], when you all sold out stadiums at Lord鈥檚 [Cricket Ground] and everywhere we played in 2017. Just keep turning up for the games; we have two more left (in the T20I series) 鈥 in Manchester and Birmingham. Your support means everything to us,鈥 said vice-captain Smriti Mandhana.
Muzumdar reflected on the 鈥渨armth and hospitality鈥 the squad receives when touring England and pledged to continue playing entertaining cricket.
鈥淥n behalf of my team, I vow they will play a brand of cricket that will entertain all of you. Additionally, I promise each one of them will be true ambassadors of our country,鈥 he said.
India leads the five-match T20I series 2-1, with their next fixture at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
(With PTI Inputs)