Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed India’s sporting success across disciplines, highlighting key achievements in cricket, athletics, and emerging sports during the 132nd episode of Mann Ki Baat.
The Prime Minister began by congratulating the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team for clinching their maiden Ranji Trophy title.
“Towards the end of last month, a highly intriguing contest unfolded in Hubballi, Karnataka, where the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team claimed the Ranji Trophy. The most gratifying aspect is that, after a long wait of nearly seven decades, this team secured its maiden Ranji title,” Modi said.
He also praised seamer Auqib Nabi for his standout performance during the season.
“Today, the performance of young Kashmiri bowler Auqib Nabi—who has taken 60 wickets in the Ranji season—is also being widely discussed across the country,” he added.
Highlighting the growing sporting culture in the region, Modi noted that Jammu and Kashmir is steadily emerging as a hub for major events.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir have always displayed an extraordinary passion for sports. I am delighted that the region is now emerging as a hub for major sporting events as well,” he said.
He also referred to the successful hosting of the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 in Ladakh and Gulmarg.
“Gulmarg has already established a distinct identity for itself as the venue for the Khelo India Winter Games. Sports such as football are also immensely popular among the youth here,” Modi noted.
Turning to international cricket, Modi applauded the India national cricket team for their T20 World Cup triumph.
“For cricket fans across the country, this month has been filled with excitement and enthusiasm. When India registered a historic victory in the T20 World Cup, a wave of joy swept across the entire nation. We are all immensely proud of our team’s magnificent success,” he said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted individual excellence, beginning with long-distance runner Gulveer Singh.
“Gulveer Singh, a talented athlete from Uttar Pradesh, made history just a few weeks ago by securing third place in the New York City Half Marathon. He became the first Indian athlete to complete a half-marathon in under one hour,” Modi said.
Teenage squash sensation Anahat Singh also received special praise.
“Squash player Anahat Singh won a major international title at the Squash on Fire Open. At just 17 years old, she achieved this feat, becoming the youngest Asian female player to break into the top 20 of the PSA World Ranking,” he noted.
Emphasising the growing participation of women in sports, Modi highlighted the Asmita Athletics League.
“On March 8th—International Women’s Day—a magnificent array of sporting events was organised as part of this league. Approximately 200,000 young women participated in the league. It is heartening to see that India’s ‘Nari Shakti’ is playing a pivotal role in the sporting transformation currently taking place across the country,” he concluded.