Sports · Cricket · 1 hr ago
Dhoni sent congratulations to India’s women after World Cup win
MS Dhoni congratulated India’s women’s team after its 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup win, messaging captain Smriti Mandhana on WhatsApp.
Mandhana said she was pleased to hear from Dhoni, who she said does not use his phone much.
He asked her to pass his wishes to the whole team because he did not have the other players’ numbers.
India won its first Women’s ODI World Cup by beating South Africa by 52 runs in Navi Mumbai on November 2, 2025.
India made 298 runs, then bowled South Africa out for 246, with Deepti Sharma taking five wickets.
Dhoni said the title could help move women’s cricket forward by encouraging girls to see the sport as a profession.
The sources do not describe any further action following the message.
MS Dhoni sent Smriti Mandhana a WhatsApp message after India won its first Women’s ODI World Cup in November 2025.
He asked Mandhana to pass his congratulations to the whole team, saying he did not have anyone else’s number.
Mandhana said she was very happy to receive the message from Dhoni, who she said rarely uses his phone.
India beat South Africa by 52 runs in the final in Navi Mumbai on November 2, 2025.
Dhoni said the win could help shape the future of Indian women’s cricket and inspire girls to treat the sport as a profession.
- Who
- Former India captain MS Dhoni sent the message to women’s team captain Smriti Mandhana.
- What
- Dhoni congratulated the team through a WhatsApp message to Mandhana and asked her to pass on his wishes.
- When
- After India won the World Cup in November 2025. The exchange was discussed at an event reported on October 29, 2026.
- Where
- The final was played in Navi Mumbai. The promotional event featuring Dhoni and Mandhana was not stated.
- Why
- Dhoni said Mandhana was the only player on the team whose number he had saved, and he wanted his message to reach the team.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
India beat Australia in the semi-final, chasing 339 to win by five wickets.
India beat South Africa by 52 runs in Navi Mumbai to win its first Women’s ODI World Cup.
Dhoni sent Mandhana a WhatsApp message asking her to pass on his congratulations to the team.
Mandhana and Dhoni discussed the message at a promotional event.
- Final date
- November 2, 2025
- Final venue
- Navi Mumbai
- Final result
- India beat South Africa by 52 runs
- India’s total
- 298/7
- South Africa’s total
- 246
- Dhoni’s recipient
- Smriti Mandhana
3 sources
What people are saying
He actually did send me a message after the World Cup win. I know he doesn't use his phone a lot. I was very happy that he used WhatsApp to congratulate all of us
I didn't know anyone else's (number) from the team. I wanted the message to go through. We had just shot (a commercial) before that. I thought, 'Let me send a message to Smriti', and I mentioned, 'Please wish everyone who is part of the team'
It (the World Cup triumph) is a big thing. It changes how Indian women's cricket moves forward.
I feel that was a big day for Indian cricket.